Labor Relations
Ongoing coverage on Labor Relations.
Latest coverage
Ubisoft Montreal employees launch collective action to preserve hybrid work schedule
Ubisoft Montreal employees, organized under the Ubisoft Workers of Montreal union, have launched a petition to preserve their hybrid work schedule after the company mandated a full return to office. The petition has garnered over 300 signatures, with union organizers encouraging in-person sign-ups. This action follows Ubisoft's January announcement of a five-day-a-week office policy, layoffs, and studio closures, which was met with protests, including a strike by Ubisoft's Paris-based employees.
MMO Business Roundup: King’s union contract, PlayStation’s disc survey, and Microsoft’s CEO
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed satisfaction with Xbox's current intellectual property and leadership's streamlining efforts, while King's Swedish developers reached a collective bargaining agreement ensuring more worker influence and information. Meanwhile, Sony is reportedly surveying developers about the future of physical game discs, with insiders suggesting it's a significant inquiry into phasing out physical media.
'This shows the power that comes from employees joining forces:' King signs collective bargaining agreement with union workers
King has signed a collective bargaining agreement with Swedish unions Engineers of Sweden and Unionen, averting a threatened strike. The agreement, reached after negotiations since May 2025, aims to give employees more influence over their work situations and the right to organize. This development follows recent layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division.
King signs collective agreement with Swedish trade unions following call to industrial action last week
King has signed a collective agreement with Swedish trade unions Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer following a call for industrial action. The agreement, reached after over a year of negotiations, aims to ensure job security and greater employee influence over workplace terms and conditions. Union leaders hailed the outcome as a significant victory and proof of the power of organized labor.
MMO Business Roundup: GTA 6 multiplayer, King employee strike, and Xbox Game Pass rumors
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy anticipates Grand Theft Auto VI multiplayer will significantly boost the platform upon its release next year. Meanwhile, Microsoft has addressed rumors about potential Xbox Game Pass changes, stating that no definitive plans have been finalized. Additionally, unionized employees at King are planning a strike due to the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement.
King workers call strike after collective agreement negotiations stall
Union workers at King, the maker of Candy Crush and a subsidiary of Microsoft, are preparing to strike on September 25, 2026, after collective agreement negotiations with the Unionen trade union stalled. The union, representing a significant portion of King's white-collar employees, seeks a collective agreement to enhance job security and workplace influence, despite the company stating its current terms are fair and competitive.
Rockstar hasn't said anything about a GTA 6 Online multiplayer mode just yet, but Twitch's CEO reckons it'll land next year
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy predicts that Grand Theft Auto 6's multiplayer component will launch next year, potentially in the latter half of 2025. While Rockstar Games has not officially commented on the multiplayer, Clancy's statement suggests a staggered release similar to Red Dead Redemption 2. The article also touches on Take-Two Interactive's willingness to support legacy titles and ongoing labor disputes at Rockstar North.
King workers to strike in Sweden following rejection of collective bargaining agreement
Swedish trade unions Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer have issued a strike notice against King after the company rejected a proposed collective bargaining agreement. If mediation fails, King employees will strike on September 25. King executives argue their current benefits package exceeds what a collective agreement would offer and that implementing one would negatively impact operations.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says GTA VI needs to be 'marketed aggressively' despite global brand awareness
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that Grand Theft Auto VI requires aggressive marketing despite its global brand recognition, comparing its promotional needs to that of the Barbie movie. He emphasized the importance of generating enthusiasm and showcasing the product, even for well-known properties. The discussion occurs amidst ongoing legal scrutiny for Rockstar Games regarding alleged union busting.
Rockstar had a mole in the union worker Discord server "for over two and a half years", GTA 6 company reveals during legal battle
Rockstar Games and its parent company Take-Two Interactive are embroiled in a legal battle with 34 former UK employees who were fired for alleged gross misconduct related to a union Discord server. The employees claim they were dismissed to prevent union recognition, while Rockstar alleges a mole provided information on union activity for over two and a half years, including details about Grand Theft Auto 6 development. The court filings present conflicting accounts of the Discord server's security and the nature of the leaked information.
Rockstar says people seeking GTA 6 updates have led to hackers blackmailing over leaks and drones being used to spy on…
Rockstar Games has revealed the extensive security measures taken to prevent leaks and protect its development of Grand Theft Auto 6. The company faced blackmail attempts from hacker groups and had to implement building protections against drone surveillance. These details emerged during an employment tribunal concerning the dismissal of employees.
Rockstar and fired GTA developers outline core arguments during union busting tribunal
Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive are facing accusations of union busting in an ongoing employment tribunal in Glasgow, UK. The fired workers allege their dismissals were retaliation for union activity, while Rockstar claims the 34 employees were terminated for gross misconduct and leaking confidential information, including details about Grand Theft Auto VI. The company emphasizes the need for strict confidentiality to protect trade secrets, comparing them to Coca-Cola's formula.
Blizzard must now 'discuss, evaluate, and bargain' its AI usage with its developers
Blizzard Entertainment's union, in partnership with the Communications Workers of America, has secured a new contract that requires the company to discuss and bargain over the implementation of generative AI in the workplace. This landmark agreement, impacting around 1900 workers, also includes wage increases, job protections, and enhanced severance for layoffs, offering a significant victory for labor rights in the gaming industry.
Almost 1,900 Blizzard workers ratify first union contract with Microsoft
Blizzard Entertainment employees, represented by newly formed unions, have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with parent company Microsoft. The contract, lasting four to five years, includes protections for generative AI use, crediting, remote work, and layoffs, establishing a 60-day notice period for job cuts and 14 months of recall rights. Meanwhile, Activision's subsidiary King has rejected a collective bargaining agreement with Swedish trade unions.
Blizzard Workers Win Historic Union Contract That Could Set A New Standard For Game Developers
Blizzard Entertainment employees, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have secured a historic union contract with Microsoft. The agreement includes workplace flexibility, guaranteed wage increases, AI job automation guardrails, and job-recall rights for laid-off employees. This contract is seen as a potential blueprint for other video game industry unions.
Blizzard union workers ratify historic contract covering 1,900 employees
Employees at Blizzard Entertainment, a subsidiary of Microsoft, have ratified a new union contract covering 1,900 workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The historic agreement includes protections for AI usage, layoff recall rights, improved severance, wage increases, and a three-day hybrid work week, setting a new industry standard.
"You can’t just throw new people at that problem": Bethesda devs doubt future Elder Scrolls and Fallout games will have the same "quality level", after losing seasoned staff to Xbox cuts
Unionized Bethesda Game Studios staff are expressing doubts about the company's ability to maintain its historical quality level for future Elder Scrolls and Fallout games following significant layoffs by Microsoft. Developers cite the loss of seasoned employees and institutional knowledge as critical factors that cannot be easily replaced, leading to concerns about the development of The Elder Scrolls VI and other titles. Negotiations over severance terms are ongoing, with union members feeling Microsoft's offers are insufficient.
Spanish union calls for ongoing strike action at Ubisoft Mobile Barcelona
The Spanish union Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego (CSV) is organizing a series of strike actions at Ubisoft Mobile Barcelona throughout September and October 2026. The strikes are in protest against a mandatory return-to-office policy, with the union claiming Ubisoft has refused to negotiate. This action follows a company-wide restructure and a significant investment from Tencent.
GTA 6 gameplay details revealed in new preview, including seamless character switching, playing as a couple and more
New details for Grand Theft Auto 6 reveal seamless character switching between protagonists Jason and Lucia, who can be played together as a couple. The game will feature a reactive world with a deeper morality system than Red Dead Redemption 2, and character body weight mechanics will return. Rockstar Games also faces accusations of union-busting following recent staff firings.
Hundreds of current and former devs at Microsoft-owned studios march in Save Our Devs rallies
Hundreds of current and former employees at Microsoft-owned studios participated in Save Our Devs rallies across the U.S. and Canada to protest thousands of layoffs. Protesters highlighted the anxiety among remaining employees and called out Microsoft for allegedly ignoring labor laws and setting a precedent for discarding union workers.
