Labor Relations
Ongoing coverage on Labor Relations.
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Unions take legal action against Microsoft for allegedly mishandling Xbox layoffs
Labor unions in the United States and Canada have filed unfair labor practice charges against Microsoft and its subsidiaries, including Xbox, ZeniMax Media, id Software, and Bethesda Game Studios. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) and CWA Canada allege that Microsoft failed to provide necessary information and engaged in bad faith bargaining regarding recent layoffs, which impacted studios like Bethesda Game Studios and id Software. Legal actions claim Microsoft made unilateral changes and unlawfully terminated employees without proper discussion with the unions.
ZeniMax Online Studios leadership included in Xbox mass layoffs
ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, is experiencing significant layoffs affecting 379 employees across ZeniMax, including senior leadership. This is part of broader job cuts at Xbox and Microsoft, with some affected employees represented by the Communications Workers of America union. Labor unions have filed unfair labor practice charges against Microsoft for alleged mishandling of these layoffs.
Ubisoft Barcelona Workers to Continue Strike Due to “Far Below The Minimum Expected” Severance Pay
Employees at Ubisoft Barcelona are planning a larger strike on July 16th due to dissatisfaction with severance pay offered following 51 layoffs. Negotiations have broken down, with employees stating the offered pay is "far below the minimum expected." Ubisoft confirmed the layoffs are part of a broader restructuring to reduce costs and potentially refocus the Barcelona studio on Rainbow Six projects.
Ubisoft Barcelona devs strike over layoffs following Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced launch
Developers at Ubisoft Barcelona are staging a three-day strike to protest the layoff of 51 employees, which occurred shortly after the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. The striking workers, in collaboration with the CSVI union, are demanding the cancellation of layoffs, stronger job security, the reinstatement of remote work policies, and promised salary increases.
Comings and Goings
Unionized former developers from MindsEye are protesting an alleged fan playtest at Build A Rocket Boy, calling it a "kick in the teeth" for recently fired workers. The protest highlights ongoing labor disputes within the game development industry.
"A kick in the teeth for the fired workers": Unionised former MindsEye devs protest alleged fan playtest at Build A Rocket Boy
The IWGB union, representing former employees of Build a Rocket Boy (BARB), protested outside the studio's offices. They accuse BARB of hosting an expenses-paid fan playtest event for their game, MindsEye, shortly after mass layoffs, calling it a "kick in the teeth" to the former workers. The union also alleges BARB management installed surveillance software on employee PCs to identify "saboteurs."
'A kick in the teeth:' Game workers protest alleged misconduct at MindsEye developer Build A Rocket Boy
Game workers protested alleged misconduct and mismanagement at MindsEye developer Build A Rocket Boy (BARB) over alleged data privacy violations and handling of layoffs. The IWGB Game Workers Union is taking legal action against the studio, founded by Leslie Benzies, over surveillance software and recent job cuts. The union criticized BARB's decision to host an expenses-paid fan playtest day for MindsEye, calling it a misuse of funds and a 'kick in the teeth' to laid-off employees.
"They want us to accept this as a done deal and quietly disappear" – Bethesda union members organise protest in response to Xbox layoffs
Union members at Bethesda Game Studios, Id Software, and ZeniMax Online Studios are organizing protests and a strike in response to recent layoffs affecting 440 employees. The OneBGS union accuses Microsoft and Bethesda of attempting to circumvent bargaining obligations by framing the cuts as an 'entrepreneurial change.' They are demanding preferential transfers, stronger severance packages, and recall rights for affected workers.
Bethesda union staff to march outside studios over Xbox layoffs: 'The company wants us to accept this as a done…
Bethesda developers, organized as the OneBGS union, are planning a protest march across studios on July 15th to oppose recent layoffs by Xbox. The union criticizes these layoffs as a recurring issue and aims to show management the adverse impact on remaining staff and studio talent, citing significant staff reductions at Zenimax Online Studios and id Software, and the closure of studios responsible for games like Hi-Fi Rush and Prey.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced developers facing layoffs
Ubisoft Barcelona is laying off 51 employees, including QA lead Isabel Codina García, at the end of July, following broader layoffs at Ubisoft last month. These cuts come despite the recent successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. A Spanish union has called for strikes to protest the layoffs and demand better job protections.
Assassin Creed Black Flag Resynced developers facing layoffs
Ubisoft Barcelona is laying off 51 employees, including QA lead Isabel Codina García, at the end of July, despite the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo has called for strikes to demand better job protections and the retention of laid-off workers. Anonymous employees cite a pattern of mistreatment and a top-down management culture contributing to these workforce reductions.
MindsEye developers protest against a fan event their own studio is hosting
Developers at Build a Rocket Boy are planning to protest an upcoming on-site playtest event for their game MindsEye, citing recent layoffs and concerns over labor practices. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is supporting the protest, which highlights the studio's spending on fan events while allegedly mistreating its workforce.
Bethesda union says company HR forced staff to remove a display honoring their laid-off colleagues
The Bethesda Game Studios Union reported that HR forced employees to remove a display honoring colleagues who were laid off during recent Xbox job cuts. The union stated that common areas are typically used for various displays, but HR deemed the memorial inappropriate. This incident occurred amidst significant layoffs across Microsoft's gaming division, impacting numerous long-term employees.
Fallout and Elder Scrolls union says Bethesda layoffs didn't hurt Microsoft's "14 layers of management" – "We lost dozens of programmers, artists, designers and testers"
Microsoft's recent layoffs significantly impacted Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax Online, Obsidian Entertainment, and id Software, affecting dozens of programmers, artists, designers, and testers, not just management. The Bethesda Game Studios Union expressed outrage, calling the cuts a "stressful annual routine" and urging fans to voice concerns through Microsoft's feedback portal to prevent future layoffs and studio closures.
Build a Rocket Boy staff to protest upcoming "all-expenses-paid" fan event
Staff at Build a Rocket Boy are planning a protest outside their Edinburgh offices this weekend. Workers are reportedly unhappy about an upcoming "all-expenses-paid" fan event for the game MindsEye, especially given the studio's significant headcount cuts and the game's poor reception since its June 2025 release. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain is expected to join the demonstration.
Workers at MindsEye studio protesting controversial fan event this weekend after multiple rounds of layoffs
Workers at the MindsEye development studio, Build A Rocket Boy, are protesting a fan event scheduled for this weekend due to the company's recent multiple rounds of layoffs. Employees, supported by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain, are also concerned about alleged invasive surveillance software previously installed on their devices. This protest follows a history of labor disputes and accusations of corporate sabotage against the studio's leadership.
"Workers deserve protection, not to be treated like disposable line items" – Hundreds of union members affected by Xbox layoffs
Hundreds of union members from the Communication Workers of America were impacted by recent layoffs at Xbox, which saw 3,200 positions eliminated and five studios divested. The CWA is pursuing legal and contractual actions to protect affected workers, including bargaining for severance and recall rights. Union leaders criticized Microsoft's treatment of employees and expressed disappointment with slow progress on contract negotiations, while Xbox leadership cited strategic overextension as a reason for the cuts.
Bethesda union blasts Microsoft as Xbox layoffs hit the Fallout and Elder Scrolls studio, too: "When will this cycle of cuts in pursuit of ever-greater profits end?"
Microsoft has initiated significant layoffs across its Xbox division, impacting Bethesda Game Studios and other developers. The Bethesda Game Studios Union expressed frustration over the recurring cuts, highlighting the impact on long-term employees and calling for an end to profit-driven redundancies. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited weak operating margins and underperforming investments as reasons for the restructuring, which includes potential strategic shifts for studios like Arkane.
GTA6 devs accuse Rockstar of crunch and pay inequity, Spanish Ubisoft devs go on strike
Developers at Rockstar Games have accused the studio of crunch, pay inequity, and using legal loopholes to bypass UK labor laws, amidst the development of Grand Theft Auto VI. Meanwhile, Ubisoft Barcelona developers in Spain have gone on strike over restructuring and job losses, demanding better working conditions and job security. A new fund has also been established to financially assist game developers who have lost their jobs.
Digging into SAG-AFTRA’s Stellar Win With Sarah Elmaleh
Actor and SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Negotiating Committee chair Sarah Elmaleh discusses the recent Interactive Media Agreement that ended an 11-month strike. The deal includes improved actor pay, new safety standards, and terms for the use of generative AI, giving actors more control over their data. Elmaleh shares her experience navigating the three-year negotiation process.
