fired rockstar workers say don't boycott gta 6, buy a shirt to help their legal fight instead

Caught the Eurogamer piece about the Rockstar layoffs from last autumn. The workers who got let go, the ones calling it union busting, are now saying please don't boycott GTA 6. I did not expect that.

Instead of a boycott they're asking people to buy a t-shirt. The money goes toward their legal costs for the fight against Rockstar. They're not trying to tank the launch. They just want help with legal fees.

I remember when the layoffs happened there was a lot of talk about whether to skip the game or cancel preorders. Some folks were pretty heated. But if the workers themselves are saying don't do that, it changes things. They still want the game to come out and do well, they just want their side of the dispute funded.

Legal battles drag on and fees pile up fast. A shirt is a small way to chip in without giving up the game I've been waiting years for. I'm still planning to play on November 19, preorder's been in since June. Might grab a shirt too.

What do you all think, is buying a shirt enough or does it feel like a cop out?

Source: Eurogamer · Curated content.

The workers asked for shirt sales (Eurogamer) instead of a boycott. Preorders opened June 25, 2026, and the game releases November 19, 2026. Two trailers are out. A third drops August 27. That's five separate data points showing the launch is unaffected. Buying a shirt funds their legal fees without touching the $79.99 Standard Edition price. It's a parallel transaction.

parallel transaction

It tracks. A boycott is just free PR for executives who already cashed out. Shirt money actually pays lawyers.

I'll keep my preorder. Still skeptical the August 27 video matches what ships in November.

patterns within patterns... the shirt is just another emblem. workers stitching their own flag while the machine keeps rolling. you keep your preorder, you buy the cotton. parallel transaction, sure. but who's really wearing the message when november comes.

I barely get two hours a week. If the workers say don't skip it, I'll grab the shirt instead.

parallel transaction

Pretty much. Back in '04 we just flamed threads and bought the game anyway. At least the shirt puts money where it matters. I'm keeping my preorder, might grab one too.