Unionization in the Video Game Industry

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This chapter examines the progress of unionization efforts within the video game industry, particularly focusing on Microsoft and Blizzard's neutrality in supporting these movements. It highlights the importance of neutrality agreements in fostering a safe environment for organizing, particularly against the backdrop of recent layoffs and corporate consolidation. The discussion reflects optimism for stronger collective bargaining and improved conditions for workers as unions gain traction across the industry.

Paris Marx is joined by Taylor Welling and Kathryn Friesen to discuss how they formed wall-to-wall unions in the video game industry and their thoughts on broader challenges like layoffs and corporate consolidation.

Taylor Welling is a producer and union member at OneBGS and Kathryn Friesen is quest designer and member of the World of Warcraft GameMakers Guild.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.

Also mentioned in this episode:

OneBGS and the World of Warcraft GameMakers Guild each won their union votes in July 2024.
More video game workers have already been laid off in 2024 than did in all of 2023.
Microsoft and the Communication Workers of America signed a labor neutrality agreement in 2022, to take effect 60 days after its acquisition of Activision Blizzard closed. In May, that agreement was extended to ZeniMax Studios.
Microsoft laid off 1,900 gaming workers in January and closed four internal studios in May.
Blizzard provides swords, shields, and helmets to employees celebrating 5, 10, and 20 years at the company.
The ZeniMax Workers Union struck an agreement with their employer on the use of AI.
Nicole Carpenter at Polygon put together a list of video game unions and an explainer on the rise of video game unions.
Communication Workers of America has more information on unionizing as part of their CODE-CWA campaign.