QA Workers at ZeniMax Media agree tentative contract

ZeniMax Workers United, part of CWA union, reached a tenative agreement with ZeniMax, a subsidiary of Microsoft. Representing 300 QA workers, this would be the first collective bargaining agreement in the US games industry. It follows the labour neutrality agreement signed between CWA and Microsoft.

The proposed agreement includes wage increases, minimum salaries, protections against dismissal, a grievance process, and formal recognition of QA workers contributions. There is also a framework for the use of AI. 

“Workers in the video game industry are demonstrating once again that collective power works. This agreement shows what’s possible when workers stand together and refuse to accept the status quo,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “Whether it’s having a say about the use of AI in the workplace, fighting for significant wage increases and fair crediting policies, or protecting workers from retaliation, our members have raised the bar. We’re proud to support them every step of the way.”


United States

ZeniMax Workers United, part of CWA union, reached a tenative agreement with ZeniMax, a subsidiary of Microsoft. Representing 300 QA workers, this would be the first collective bargaining agreement in the US games industry. It follows the labour neutrality agreement signed between CWA and Microsoft.
The proposed agreement includes wage increases, minimum salaries, protections against dismissal, a grievance process, and formal recognition of QA workers contributions. There is also a framework for the use of AI.
“Workers in the video game industry are demonstrating once again that collective power works. This agreement shows what’s possible when workers stand together and refuse to accept the status quo,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “Whether it’s having a say about the use of AI in the workplace, fighting for significant wage increases and fair crediting policies, or protecting workers from retaliation, our members have raised the bar. We’re proud to support them every step of the way.”


South Korean game unions demand abolition of comprehensive wage system

A group of game worker unions in South Korea demanded an end to the comprehensive wage system. This is a system of wages that includes allowances for overtime and working at night that are paid as part of the salary. It is therefore difficult to receive payment for additional hours worked, leading to non-payment for crunch time.

Baesu-chan, the vice president of Nexon, said: “The abolition of the comprehensive wage system is the most urgent issue ... Although the comprehensive wage system has been abolished in large game companies, it is applied in a modified form in small and medium-sized enterprises or Nexon subsidiaries such as 'Mint Rocket,' which imposes a heavy burden on workers ... The previous government tried to expand flexible working hours while viewing the gaming industry differently, but in reality, even managing the recording of commuting hours for overtime pay has not been implemented.”


South Korea

A group of game worker unions in South Korea demanded an end to the comprehensive wage system. This is a system of wages that includes allowances for overtime and working at night that are paid as part of the salary. It is therefore difficult to receive payment for additional hours worked, leading to non-payment for crunch time.
Baesu-chan, the vice president of Nexon, said: “The abolition of the comprehensive wage system is the most urgent issue ... Although the comprehensive wage system has been abolished in large game companies, it is applied in a modified form in small and medium-sized enterprises or Nexon subsidiaries such as 'Mint Rocket,' which imposes a heavy burden on workers ... The previous government tried to expand flexible working hours while viewing the gaming industry differently, but in reality, even managing the recording of commuting hours for overtime pay has not been implemented.”


SAG-AFTRA files unfair labor practice against Llama Studios

SAG-AFTRA files unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB against Llama studios. The studio makes Fortnite and used a digital replica of James Earl Jones to voice Darth Vader in the game without bargaining with the union.

In their statement, SAG-AFTRA explained:  "Fortnite's signatory company, Llama Productions, chose to replace the work of human performers with A.I. technology ... Unfortunately, they did so without providing any notice of their intent to do this and without bargaining with us over appropriate terms. As such, we have filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB against Llama Productions."


SAG-AFTRA files unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB against Llama studios. The studio makes Fortnite and used a digital replica of James Earl Jones to voice Darth Vader in the game without bargaining with the union.
In their statement, SAG-AFTRA explained:  &quot;Fortnite's signatory company, Llama Productions, chose to replace the work of human performers with A.I. technology ... Unfortunately, they did so without providing any notice of their intent to do this and without bargaining with us over appropriate terms. As such, we have filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB against Llama Productions.&quot;


Overwatch workers form union

Almost 200 developers working on the Overwatch game have voted to form a union. The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-CWA was formed with CWA, another union formed under the Microsoft labor neutrality agreement.


Los Angeles

Activision user research workers form union

User research workers at Activision voted for a union, either singing union authorization cards or indicating that they wanted union representation. The workers can now join CWA Local 9400 in Los Angeles, which is recognised by Microsoft. This is the first group of user research workers to unionise in the games industry. 

“A union allows workers to create an industry that works for them, which is vital in an industry that we deeply care about,” said organizing committee member and user research moderator Pat Dimaandal. “Workers should not feel punished for pursuing a career that they love, and that’s why we’re organizing toward long-term, sustainable careers in this industry.”


User research workers at Activision voted for a union, either singing union authorization cards or indicating that they wanted union representation. The workers can now join CWA Local 9400 in Los Angeles, which is recognised by Microsoft. This is the first group of user research workers to unionise in the games industry.
“A union allows workers to create an industry that works for them, which is vital in an industry that we deeply care about,” said organizing committee member and user research moderator Pat Dimaandal. “Workers should not feel punished for pursuing a career that they love, and that’s why we’re organizing toward long-term, sustainable careers in this industry.”


Game workers launch industry wide union with CWA

Workers launch the United Videogame Workers-CWA Local 9433, a direct-join, industry-wide video game union. This is a partnership between CWA and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). The union was announced at GDC conference.

The UVW-CWA’s mission statement explains: “Our mission is to take back our lives, our labor, and our passion from those who treat us like replaceable cogs; to empower our fellow workers; to link up arms with the laid off, with the freelancer, with the disillusioned contractor, with the disenfranchised and the marginalized, with the workers laboring invisibly to keep this industry afloat ... We are going to create a game industry that works for us, one that nourishes its talent and invests in its future, rather than constantly seeking short-term profits. We are the ones that make the games, so we must be the ones that set the terms of how we work.”


Canada

Workers launch the United Videogame Workers-CWA Local 9433, a direct-join, industry-wide video game union. This is a partnership between CWA and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). The union was announced at GDC conference.
The UVW-CWA’s mission statement explains: “Our mission is to take back our lives, our labor, and our passion from those who treat us like replaceable cogs; to empower our fellow workers; to link up arms with the laid off, with the freelancer, with the disillusioned contractor, with the disenfranchised and the marginalized, with the workers laboring invisibly to keep this industry afloat ... We are going to create a game industry that works for us, one that nourishes its talent and invests in its future, rather than constantly seeking short-term profits. We are the ones that make the games, so we must be the ones that set the terms of how we work.”


Wrocław

Polish Gamedev Workers Union officially at Ten Square Games

The Polish Gamedev Workers Union has started organising at Ten Square Games, a mobile game developer known for games like Let's Fish, Fishing Clash, and Wild Hunt. The union reports having over 300 workers unionised across Poland so far.


Poland

STJV puts together Grève Bundle to support striking workers

Following the general strike in the games industry in France the previous day, STJV launched a Grève (Strike) Bundle on Itch.io to raise strike funds.


France

French game workers organise general strike

French game workers organising with STJV called a general strike in the video games industry. They organised rallies in Paris, Lyon, Montpellier, Annecy, Angoulême, Bordeaux, Lille, Nantes.

Over a thousand workers took part, out of an estimated 12-15,000 workers in France. Workers at Ubisoft’s Barcelona studio also took part.


French game workers organising with STJV called a general strike in the video games industry. They organised rallies in Paris, Lyon, Montpellier, Annecy, Angoulême, Bordeaux, Lille, Nantes.
Over a thousand workers took part, out of an estimated 12-15,000 workers in France. Workers at Ubisoft’s Barcelona studio also took part.


Workers form union at Blizzard Spain

Workers at Blizzard Spain unionised with CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego) as part of the CGT union. They are organising to improve their working conditions.


Spain

French game workers strike at Don't Nod and take part in national strike

Workers at Don't Nod went on strike again on the 12th of December as part of an ongoing fight against redundancies. This was the fifth week of organising 69 redunancies.
French game workers organising in STJV also took part in the CGT national strike on the same day. The strike was called against redunancies taking place across multiple sectors.



Warsaw

Workers at GOG unionise

Workers hired at GOG have joined Polish Gamedev Workers Union. GOG (formelly known as Good Old Games) is a digital distribution platform for video games owned by CD Project.


California

2K Games' motion capture studio votes to unionise

Workers at 2K Games' California-based motion capture studio have successfully voted to unionise. The election was supervised by the National Labor Relations Board and the action was approved on Friday with a vote of 15 for, 6 against. The 2K Mocap Union will unionise under the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), which claimed in a statement that this will be the first unionisation of a motion capture studio in the games industry, and first under the Take Two umbrella. 


SAG-AFTRA agreement to protect game localisation workers

SAG-AFTRA establishes the Independent Interactive Localization Agreement (IILA), which covers localization of games first made in a non-English language.

The IILA rate sheet includes rates for: off-camera performers to be paid $1,023.75 per session for up 12 voice prints in a four-hour day, or $512 for 2 voice prints in a one-hour day. The rates are set to increase from 2025.


SAG-AFTRA establishes the Independent Interactive Localization Agreement (IILA), which covers localization of games first made in a non-English language.
The IILA rate sheet includes rates for: off-camera performers to be paid $1,023.75 per session for up 12 voice prints in a four-hour day, or $512 for 2 voice prints in a one-hour day. The rates are set to increase from 2025.


Workers at ZeniMax strike over remote work and outsourcing

Workers at ZeniMax (owned by Microsoft) took one day of strike action over the outsourcing of quality assurance work, as well as opposing the return-to-office mandate. ZeniMax Workers United became the first union to form under the Microsoft banner in January 2023 when 300 workers voted in favour. It is estimated that hundreds of workers took part in the strike.


Paris

Workers at Don't Nod go on strike over redunancies 

Workers at Don't Nod went on strike over the studio's plans for redundancies. The plan would include 69 workers losing their jobs. The workers demanded that Don't Nod abadon the redundancy plans, give employees a voice in decision-making, and that the CEO Oskar Guilbert be present in the negotiations. 

STJV estimated that 120 people joined the strike.


Workers at Don't Nod went on strike over the studio's plans for redundancies. The plan would include 69 workers losing their jobs. The workers demanded that Don't Nod abadon the redundancy plans, give employees a voice in decision-making, and that the CEO Oskar Guilbert be present in the negotiations.
STJV estimated that 120 people joined the strike.


New York

New York Times game workers join strike

Game workers joined the New York Times Tech Guild Strike. While the union represents over 600 software workers, some of these are game workers. They make games like Wordle and Connections. The workers called for supporters to boycott the games as part of the digital picket line.


AQAU-CWA members hold protest against disability discrimination

Members of AQUA-CWA held a protest against Activision's end of work from home policy. The company are refusing to provide workers with remote from home accommodations, including for disabled workers.


Petaluma

Workers at 2K Games' mocap studio unionise

Twenty-one workers at a 2K Games' motion capture studio in Petaluma, California filed for union recognition with IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees).


Milan

Workers at Ubisoft Italy join strike against return-to-office

Workers at Ubisoft Italy joined a strike started by workers in France over the three-day-a-week return-to-office mandate. 

“It is unthinkable that a young person who lives in another region or in any case far from our territory could spend three days a week in Milan, turning their existence upside down: it is not economically sustainable and unfair on a human level,” said Fiom Cgil representative Andrea Rosafalco.


Italy

Workers at Ubisoft Italy joined a strike started by workers in France over the three-day-a-week return-to-office mandate.
“It is unthinkable that a young person who lives in another region or in any case far from our territory could spend three days a week in Milan, turning their existence upside down: it is not economically sustainable and unfair on a human level,” said Fiom Cgil representative Andrea Rosafalco.


Barcelona

King Barcelona workers protest against layoffs

A group of workers protested and held a press conference in front of the Barcelona King office. They were campaigning against the massive layoffs and the meagre compensation packages that the company was offering, while it was another profit record-breaking year for the entire Microsoft group.


Workers at Ubisoft France strike for three days over return-to-office

Workers at Ubisoft went on strike over the three-days-a-week return-to-office mandate. The union estimated that over 1,000 workers went on strike, an estimated 1/4 of the overall workforce: <https://x.com/stjv_fr/status/1847989152668582353> 


Workers at Ubisoft went on strike over the three-days-a-week return-to-office mandate. The union estimated that over 1,000 workers went on strike, an estimated 1/4 of the overall workforce: https://x.com/stjv_fr/status/1847989152668582353


Boycott of Big Bad Con

A group of campaigners under the name #BigBadBoycott highlighted how the Big Bad Con (a TTPRG convention) had been censoring anti-Zionist lanugage from event programming. After issuing an open letter, they successfully won the issuing of a "pro-Palestine values" statement by the convention organisers and suspended the boycott.


A group of campaigners under the name #BigBadBoycott highlighted how the Big Bad Con (a TTPRG convention) had been censoring anti-Zionist lanugage from event programming. After issuing an open letter, they successfully won the issuing of a &quot;pro-Palestine values&quot; statement by the convention organisers and suspended the boycott.


King Barcelona workers unionise

A group of workers from the King Barcelona office unionised in collaboration with CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego) to fight for fair working conditions, layoffs, and a better future.


Cologne

Ver.di-GDRT Formulates Demands for Fair Conditions in the Games Industry

During devcom and gamescom 2024, the largest games fair in Europe, ver.di-GDRT (Game Dev Roundtable) published a list of six demands for a better games industry. These demands were collectively discussed among game workers and were selected after the results of a nation-wide survey. This was a call for action, and the beginning of a long due collective discussion between workers and company owners. The ver.di-GDRT continues growing and helping workers get organized in their workplace, no matter the size of the studio. Some more works councils have been founded since.


Germany

Workers at Techland unionise

Workers employed at Techland have joined Polish Gamedev Workers Union. Technland is the second largest triple A video game studio in Poland in terms of market capitalization after CD Project Red, and is responsible for the development of games like Dying Light and Call of Juarez.


Equity sets recommended minimum rates for video game workers as part of Game On! campaign

For the first time, the actors union Equity, sets recommended minimum rates for workers in the games industry. As part of the Game On! campaign, this is intended to be part of the fight for better pay, terms, and conditions.

The rates are intended to be used at AAA game companies. They include minimum fees for voiceover per hour, motion and performance capture per day, promotion work per hour, overtime per 30 minutes after wrap time, and other rates.


United Kingdom

For the first time, the actors union Equity, sets recommended minimum rates for workers in the games industry. As part of the Game On! campaign, this is intended to be part of the fight for better pay, terms, and conditions.
The rates are intended to be used at AAA game companies. They include minimum fees for voiceover per hour, motion and performance capture per day, promotion work per hour, overtime per 30 minutes after wrap time, and other rates.


Madrid

Electronic Arts Spain workers unionise

A union section has been formed at Electronic Arts in collaboration with CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego).

Workers have formed a section that is a horizontal organisational space with the aim of defending their rights, improving wage conditions and job stability, while fighting together to protect themselves against possible future layoffs, whether due to the rise of new technologies or unnecessary cutbacks.


A union section has been formed at Electronic Arts in collaboration with CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego).
Workers have formed a section that is a horizontal organisational space with the aim of defending their rights, improving wage conditions and job stability, while fighting together to protect themselves against possible future layoffs, whether due to the rise of new technologies or unnecessary cutbacks.


SAG-AFTRA game worker members go on strike

SAG-AFTRA called a strike following a year and half negotiations ending without a deal. The union was bargaining over the new [Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement](https://www.sagaftra.org/production-center/contract/820/getting-started), the[ Interim Interactive Media Agreement or the Interim Interactive Localization Agreement](https://www.sagaftra.org/contracts-industry-resources/contracts/video-game-strike/video-game-strike-interim-agreements) that would have offered agreements offer critical AI protections for members. Workers had previously voted 98.32% in favour of striking over the agreements.

As Fran Drescher, the SAG-AFTRA president explained, "We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough. When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate"


SAG-AFTRA called a strike following a year and half negotiations ending without a deal. The union was bargaining over the new Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement, the Interim Interactive Media Agreement or the Interim Interactive Localization Agreement that would have offered agreements offer critical AI protections for members. Workers had previously voted 98.32% in favour of striking over the agreements.
As Fran Drescher, the SAG-AFTRA president explained, &quot;We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough. When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate&quot;


500 World of Warcraft workers form wall-to-wall union

500 developers formed the World of Warcraft Gamemaker's Guild, part of CWA. This wall-to-wall union covers designers, engineers, artists, and producers in California and Massachusetts. It is the second biggest union at Microsoft, following the unionisation of QA workers at Activision Blizzard. The unionisation follows walkouts in 2021.


Ubisoft Barcelona workers unionise

Workers at Ubisoft in Barcelona unionised with support from CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego). They are campaigning for fairer wages, decent conditions, a better future and, moreover, a better present.


Andalusia

Workers at The Game Kitchen unionise

A union section has been formed by workers at The Game Kitchen by CGT in collaboration with CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego).

This section is a horizontal organisational space that aims to give voice to workers, with the aim of defending workers' rights, creating proposals and seeing themselves represented in decision making processes. 


A union section has been formed by workers at The Game Kitchen by CGT in collaboration with CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego).
This section is a horizontal organisational space that aims to give voice to workers, with the aim of defending workers' rights, creating proposals and seeing themselves represented in decision making processes.


Bethesda Game Studios unionise

A majority of 241 workers at Bethesda Game Studios vote to form a union with CODE CWA. Bethesda is part of Microsoft, which has signed a union neutrality agreement, so the union was immediately recognised.

This is the first wall-to-wall union at Microsoft, which includes everyone at a location whereas the other unions at microsoft focused on a specific discipline like QA.


A majority of 241 workers at Bethesda Game Studios vote to form a union with CODE CWA. Bethesda is part of Microsoft, which has signed a union neutrality agreement, so the union was immediately recognised.
This is the first wall-to-wall union at Microsoft, which includes everyone at a location whereas the other unions at microsoft focused on a specific discipline like QA.


Polish Gamedev Union expands to Lionbridge Poland

Workers at Lionbridge Poland have unionsed with the Polish Gamedev Workers Union. Lionbridge Poland employs around 600 workers in Poland and is a branch of Lionbridge Technologies, one of the largest translation and localization companies in the world.


Montreal

Workers at Bethesda Game Studios Montreal Unionise

Workers at Bethesda Game Studios Montreal, one of Bethesda's four studios, voted to unionise with CWA as One BGS MTL.


Workers at TCGplayer hold rally targetting eBay board of director

Workers at TCGplayer organising with CWA held a rally in New York. They have been trying to bargain with eBay (the parent company) but face a union-busting campaign. In response, workers organised a rally targetting Adriane Brown who is on the board of directors at eBay.	


IWGB union starts recruiting tabletop game workers

IWGB game workers branch votes to open membership to tabletop game workers in Britain


Workers form union at Netmarble Group

Workers at Netmarble formed the sixth game workers union in South Korea. The full name is the Netmarble Branch of the National Chemical Fiber and Food Industry Workers Union. All workers across Netmarble are eligible to join. The union has no nickname, unlike others formed before.


Game Workers Unite Montreal partners with CSN

Game workers in Quebec, organising with Game Workers Unite Montreal, have partnered with the trade union federadation Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) to organise in the industry.


Stockholm

Avalanche Studios Group agrees to sign collective bargaining agreement with Unionen and Sveriges ingenjörer

Avalanche Studios Group agrees to sign collective bargaining agreement with workers in Unionen and Sveriges ingenjörer. The company has delayed signing it until the new sectoral agreement comes into effect in a year.


Sweden

150 workers at Sega of America win union contract

Workers at Sega of America (a division of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc.) have become the first game workers in North America to successfully ratify a union contract. It covers 150 workers in Southern California and includes minimum yearly page increases until 2026 and improved benefits. The contract also includes a requirment of notice for layoffs and minimum severance pay, while layoffs increase across the sector.


Gdańsk

Workers at Product Madness unionise

Workers employed at Product Madness have joined Polish Gamedev Workers Union. Product Madness is one of the world's largest mobile game studios specialized in social casinos.


600 QA workers at Activision unionise

600 QA (Quality Assurance) workers at Activision have unionised with CWA. The workers are based in Austin, Texas, Eden Prairie, Minnessota, and El Segundo, California in the USA.

This makes "Activision Quality Assurance United - CWA" the largest unionised group of workers so far in the industry. Microsoft (who own Activision) kept to the labor neutrality agreement signed with CWA and granted voluntary recognition of the union.


600 QA (Quality Assurance) workers at Activision have unionised with CWA. The workers are based in Austin, Texas, Eden Prairie, Minnessota, and El Segundo, California in the USA.
This makes &quot;Activision Quality Assurance United - CWA&quot; the largest unionised group of workers so far in the industry. Microsoft (who own Activision) kept to the labor neutrality agreement signed with CWA and granted voluntary recognition of the union.


Game workers criticise "reckless decision" by Rockstar to end remote working

Game workers organising with IWGB have publicly criticised plans by Rockstar to end remote working. The previous year, 170 workers at Rockstar Games in the UK signed a petition opposing a mandatory 3-day office working week. Despite promises they would not do so, on the 28th of Februrary Rockstar announced a 5-day office working week with the withdrawal of remote working provisions from 15th of April.


IGN Creators Guild voluntarily recongised

The IGN Creators Guilds was voluntarily recognised by IGN, starting the process of union negotiations


Workers at Flying Wild Hog unionise

Workers at Flying Wild Hog have unionsed with the Polish Gamedev Workers Union. The studio, which is owned by Embracer, mades games like Shadow Warrior and Space Punks.


Game workers strike over wages at Ubisoft in France

Negotiations between the FIECI CFE-CGC, Solidaires Informatique, and Le Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo (SJTV) and Ubisoft in France broke down over wages. Despite improved earnings for the company, the offered raises (2-3%) were lower than the rate of inflation for the second year running. The strike was first called for the 1st of February, but after further negotiations, the walkout took place on the 14th of February. Over 700 workers took part, making it the largest strike in the history of the games industry so far


Launch of joint union initiative Gameworkers in Denmark

The Gameworkers website was launched by four unions that have been organising in the games industry in Denmark. This includes HK Privat, FAF: Creative Professionals, PROSA: Association of IT Professionals in DK, and DM: Danish Association of Masters and PhDs. It provides information about rights at work and a way to join the different unions.


Denmark

Launch of the IGN Creators Guild

Workers involved in the creative teams at IGN requested voluntary recognition with the News Guild alongside their colleagues at the Ziff Davis Creators Guild and other online media companies. Management refused their request and workers launched the IGN Creators Guild with a public petition.


Game Makers of Finland join national walk out

Game Makers of Finland joined the national walk out organised by Akava on the 6th of February. The walk out was a political protest organised against the Finish government's proposed changes to working-life measures, including changes to foreign employees residence permits, reducing sick pay, and making dismissals easier.


Finland

Launch of the CSVI union for video game workers in Spain

CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego - Videogame Union Coordinator) launched in Spain. The union is part of the CGT (Confederación General del Trabajo - General Confederation of Labor) union federation. In the launch they explain they were created to defend the rights of video game workers. Affiliates of CGT in any part of spain can participate.


Workers form union at NHN Corporation

Workers at NHN Corporation formed the sixth game workers union in South Korea. The full name of is the NHN branch of the National Chemical Fiber and Food Industry Workers Union. It is also known as Next.Human, as NHN was previously known as Next Human Network.


Workers at 11 bit studios unionise

Workers at 11 bit studios unionised with the Polish Gamedev Union, making it the second unionised studio in Poland. 


Workers at IGN Africa take strike action for Gaza

Workers at IGN Africa stopped publishing news stories and videos for 24 hours in support of the campaign calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. They used the hashtag #StrikeForGaza and extended the media blackout for a further 24 hours


South Africa

Polish Gamedev Workers Union voluntarily recognised by CD Projeckt

Two months after the formation of the Polish Gamedev Workers Union, workers have won voluntary recognition at CD Projeckt.

"We have already started our working meetings," the PGWU wrote, "After this breakthrough, we look forward to establishing a successful partnership with other companies."


Two months after the formation of the Polish Gamedev Workers Union, workers have won voluntary recognition at CD Projeckt.
&quot;We have already started our working meetings,&quot; the PGWU wrote, &quot;After this breakthrough, we look forward to establishing a successful partnership with other companies.&quot;


Collective agreement at NCSoft

Eight months after the formation of the union, a collective bargaining agreement was signed at NCSoft. The union requested employment stability, horizontal organisational culture, and a transparent evaluation and compensation system.


Edmonton

Keywords workers picket Bioware Edmonton office after being laid off

Bioware laid of 50 workers in August and cut ties with Keywords Studios. Workers who had recently unionised with UFCW401 at Keywords were then laid off. The former Keywords workers picketed outside of BioWare's offices in Edmonton, Canada.


Milwaukee

QA workers at one of Experis Games Solutions' locations vote to unionise

Employees of Experis Game Solutions, a video game testing company owned by Manpower Group, are organizing a union. The workers, who are organizing with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 10 (IAMAW), filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Friday. 
According to IAMAW, employees have “cited serious workplace problems that they want to see addressed through collective bargaining and through the dignity that comes with a voice at work ... The workers at Experis, who are responsible for quality assurance and troubleshooting of newly developed video games, face a multitude of chronic, industry-wide issues and seek improvements in several areas including pay, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and workplace health & safety issues.”


Employees of Experis Game Solutions, a video game testing company owned by Manpower Group, are organizing a union. The workers, who are organizing with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 10 (IAMAW), filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Friday.
According to IAMAW, employees have “cited serious workplace problems that they want to see addressed through collective bargaining and through the dignity that comes with a voice at work ... The workers at Experis, who are responsible for quality assurance and troubleshooting of newly developed video games, face a multitude of chronic, industry-wide issues and seek improvements in several areas including pay, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and workplace health &amp; safety issues.”


Workers Unionise at Avalanche Studios Group

Around 100 workers at Avalanche Studios Group have joined Unionen. The studio develops the Just Cause series and has around 500 employees. Workers have raised issues over benefits and proposed moving to a four-day week. The unionisation follows a public dispute between workers and management, in which a public apology was later issued by the company.


Workers laid off at Keywords Studios file employment standards complaint

All of the unionised QA workers at Keywords Studios were laid off, following BioWare ending the contract. The 16 workers voted in June 2022 to unionise with UFCW Canada, the first in the country. The union filed an employment standards complaint against the studio, citing that severance had not been paid out to the workers.	


Formation of Polish Gamedev Workers Union

Workers at CD Projeckt S.A. formed the Polish Gamedev Workers Union, part of OZZ Inicjatywa Pracownicza (Polish Trade Union Workers Initiative), a grassroots union. They are aiming to raise concerns about employment conditions and safety, as well as unionise the Polish games industry.


Hex Workers United demands union recognition 

Workers at Hex & Company, a board game cafe chain in New York, publicly demanded union recognition. They are organising under the name Hex Workers United.


Workers at Hex &amp; Company, a board game cafe chain in New York, publicly demanded union recognition. They are organising under the name Hex Workers United.


SAG-AFTRA workers vote for strike over the Interactive Media Agreement

Members of the SAG-AFTRA (The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) vote 98.32% in favour of authorising a strike over the Interactive Media Agreement. 34,687 votes were cast, meaning there was a 27.47% turnout. The agreement covers Activision, Blindlight, Disney, Electronic Arts, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Epic Games, Take 2, VoiceWorks Productions, and WB Games. The negotiations have focused on including wages that keep up with inflation, protections around exploitative uses of artificial intelligence, and basic safety precautions.


City of Rochester

Workinman Interactive Workers Unite

Workers at Workinman Interactive are unionizing with the backing of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). This is the first union dedicated specifically to video game workers under IATSE in the US. Following a supermajority of workers signing cards indicating their collective desire to join together, IATSE filed a **[petition for representation election](https://www.nlrb.gov/reports/nlrb-case-activity-reports/representation-cases/intake/representation-petitions-rc)** with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).  They will vote for their union in a hybrid election, with in-person voting being held on September 12th, and a mail-in ballot period ending on September 26th.  The votes will be counted on September 27th.


Workers at Workinman Interactive are unionizing with the backing of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). This is the first union dedicated specifically to video game workers under IATSE in the US. Following a supermajority of workers signing cards indicating their collective desire to join together, IATSE filed a petition for representation election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).  They will vote for their union in a hybrid election, with in-person voting being held on September 12th, and a mail-in ballot period ending on September 26th.  The votes will be counted on September 27th.


Georgia

Workers at Corsair form union with Teamsters

Workers at Corsair Gaming Inc. in Duluth, Georgia file for a union with the Teamsters. The 72 eligible workers cover both production and logistics at the gaming hardware company. This is the first example of hardware workers in the US unionising in the current wave of organising


Workers protest at Kakao over layoffs

Unionised workers at Kakao held a protest outside the companies headquarters. 200 workers took part and demanded apologies from senior management over layoffs. The restructuring also effected Kakao entertainment and XL Games.


Strike at Kylotonn

Several Kylotonn employees from their studio in Paris announced a strike to protest the studio's management. Workers from Spiders gave their support during the 2nd day of the strike on the 20th of July. Both studios were bought by Nacon and, since then, the workers' say their demands have been blocked because the "studios have to negotiate with Nacon" and nothing happens after. Their demands include: a remote work policy, negotiations over minimum wages, and improvement of working conditions.


Several Kylotonn employees from their studio in Paris announced a strike to protest the studio's management. Workers from Spiders gave their support during the 2nd day of the strike on the 20th of July. Both studios were bought by Nacon and, since then, the workers' say their demands have been blocked because the &quot;studios have to negotiate with Nacon&quot; and nothing happens after. Their demands include: a remote work policy, negotiations over minimum wages, and improvement of working conditions.


SEGA of America workers vote in favor of a union

Workers at Sega formed a union of over 200 members after winning their union election 91-26. The union, called AEGIS-CWA, is the largest multi-department union in the games industry in the US. It consists of workers from QA, Localization, Production, Marketing, Marketing Services, Licensing, and other departments.


Escape Room Workers Union formed with the IWW

Workers organising at several escape rooms in the UK, including Locked in a Room, have formed the Escape Room Workers Union with the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World). They have recently gone public, campaigning for better conditions and increased pay.


Gambrinous becomes second employer to join Game Workers Unite Ireland living wage campaign

Gambrinous becomes the second employer in the games sector to sign up to the Financial Services Union living wage campaign. This follows Dreemfeel, who signed the pledge in October 2022. The FSU estimates 15% of staff in the games sector in Ireland are earning less than the living wage. As part of signing up, all Gambrinous employees and contractors will be paid the living wage as a minimum.


Ireland

League of Legends North American professional players walk out

Players in the North American Player's Association vote to walk out after Riot Games removes a mandate for teams to fund an amateur team in the North American Challengers League. This change by Riot was made without consultation with the players.

This change could potentially affect up to 70 players, coaches, and managers.


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