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Unionization News

The latest Unionization coverage curated for game developers.

Rockstar and IWGB outline arguments at start of tribunal

GamesIndustry.biz reports that Rockstar and the IWGB have opened an employment tribunal over the dismissal of 34 staff last year. The union says the firings targeted organizing efforts; Rockstar says …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 1 week, 2 days ago
State of the Unions: the rise of unionisation in games workplaces

GamesIndustry.biz details how unionisation has moved from a fringe idea to a practical force in studios worldwide. Workers have won pay rises, AI protections, hybrid work, and stronger layoff terms, …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 1 week, 5 days ago
Almost 1,900 Blizzard workers ratify first union contract with Microsoft

GamesIndustry.biz reports that nearly 1,900 Blizzard workers have ratified their first union contract with Microsoft after more than two years of bargaining. The deal covers AI safeguards, crediting, remote work, …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 2 weeks ago
32 workers at ZA/UM laid off following release of Zero Parades: For Dead Spies

ZA/UM has cut 32 staff across all departments after the commercial performance of Zero Parades: For Dead Spies failed to support its current headcount. The studio says its artistic goals …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 2 months ago
Union raises concerns over gender pay gaps, bonus management, and crunch at Rockstar

Rockstar workers are pressing for union recognition while raising fresh concerns about pay equity, bonus discretion, and crunch. Employees say bonus decisions can be opaque and retroactive, the gender pay …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 2 months, 3 weeks ago
CWA union says Xbox workers are not "disposable" as layoffs loom

CWA leaders are publicly backing Xbox workers as another round of layoffs appears imminent across Microsoft’s games business. The union says the company has the money to protect staff, while …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Magic: The Gathering Arena developers have successfully unionized

The Magic: The Gathering Arena team has officially unionized, turning a long-running organizing effort into a concrete bargaining unit. For developers, the practical impact is less about the headline and …

News Game Developer · 2 months, 4 weeks ago
Rockstar suffers legal blow in union busting dispute as trial date set

A UK tribunal ruling just gave fired Rockstar union organizers a path to pursue blacklisting claims, which raises the stakes well beyond the original dismissal dispute. For developers, the practical …

News Game Developer · 3 months ago
Rockstar employees form union amid ongoing legal claims

Rockstar employees have formed the Rockstar Game Workers Union under the IWGB after the studio dismissed more than 30 staff in the UK and Canada. The union says membership has …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Wizards of the Coast writes to staff to explain "how union representation works" as studio prepares to vote to unionize

Wizards of the Coast is warning employees that union bargaining could leave them with more, the same, or less than current benefits, right before a June 2 NLRB vote. For …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Report: Wizards of the Coast is trying to discourage workers from unionizing

Wizards of the Coast is reportedly telling employees that unionizing could leave them with “more, the same, or less” than they have now. For game teams, that’s a reminder that …

News Game Developer · 3 months, 4 weeks ago
Double Fine petitions to unionize

Double Fine's recent petition to unionize marks a significant shift for the studio, encompassing all regular part-time and full-time employees. This move could reshape workplace dynamics and set a precedent …

News Game Developer · 4 months, 1 week ago
Double Fine Productions is the latest Microsoft subsidiary to unionise

Double Fine has filed to unionise, with 42 part-time and full-time employees seeking voluntary recognition from Microsoft. For devs, the practical angle is less about one studio and more about …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 4 months, 1 week ago
Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro miss deadline to voluntarily recognise workers' union

Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro missed the May 1 deadline to voluntarily recognize the union formed by Magic: The Gathering Arena developers. For teams watching labor issues in games, …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Wizards of the Coast declines to voluntarily recognize game worker union

Wizards of the Coast has chosen not to recognize a game worker union, a significant move that could impact employee morale and future negotiations. This decision comes after employees expressed …

News Game Developer · 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Magic: The Gathering Arena devs are unionizing to deliver genAI and layoff protections

The developers behind Magic: The Gathering Arena are taking a significant step by unionizing to secure protections against layoffs and to advocate for generative AI in their work. This move …

News Game Developer · 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Unions band together to launch new game industry conference 'by workers, for workers'

The newly launched Game Workers Conference aims to empower developers by providing a platform 'by workers, for workers.' This online event will be freely accessible, making it a significant opportunity …

News Game Developer · 6 months, 1 week ago
'If we love this work, we have to protect it:' Heart Machine workers secure voluntary union recognition

Heart Machine workers have successfully secured voluntary union recognition, marking a significant step for game developers in advocating for their rights. This move underscores the importance of collective bargaining in …

News Game Developer · 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Blizzard workers ratify union contract, Ghost of Yotei soars, and has Yves Guillemot outstayed his welcome at Ubisoft? - Patch Notes #39

Blizzard's recent ratification of a union contract marks a significant shift in labor relations within the gaming industry. This development could influence job security and workplace conditions for developers, particularly …

News Game Developer · 7 months, 2 weeks ago
QA staff at Blizzard ratify union contract that gives "lasting protections in the workplace"

Blizzard's QA staff have ratified a union contract that promises lasting workplace protections. This significant move, backed by Microsoft, reflects a growing trend in the industry towards unionization, particularly among …

News GamesIndustry.biz · 7 months, 3 weeks ago
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