Unionization
Ongoing coverage on Unionization.
Latest coverage
Rockstar to meet with employees looking to unionize in hopes of avoiding potential strike ahead of GTA 6 launch
Rockstar Games is reportedly meeting with employees who are seeking to unionize. This comes as the company aims to avoid a potential strike ahead of the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Rockstar Games staff push for union recognition ahead of GTA VI launch
Employees at Rockstar Games are seeking official union recognition through the IWGB Game Workers Union ahead of the Grand Theft Auto VI launch. This effort follows alleged dismissals of union members in October 2025, which the union is challenging as union-busting. Union recognition would provide formal collective bargaining rights and workplace protections for employees.
Rockstar devs could go on strike before GTA 6 launch as unionization talks grow
Developers at Rockstar Games are pursuing union recognition ahead of the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch, citing mass firings last year as a catalyst. Employees are prepared to strike if the company does not voluntarily recognize the union, seeking formal collective bargaining and workplace protections. The union aims to prevent future issues and honor the contributions of dismissed colleagues.
GTA 6 makers have 10 working days to voluntarily recognise Rockstar IWGB Game Workers Union or it may go to a government tribunal
The newly formed Rockstar IWGB Game Workers Union is demanding official recognition from Rockstar Games, with a ten-day deadline to voluntarily comply. If Rockstar refuses, the union can pursue statutory recognition through a government tribunal. This effort follows previous unionization attempts and disputes over employee firings.
Magic: The Gathering Arena devs' union officially elected, following claims Wizards of the Coast were dragging their heels on voluntary recognition
The union representing Magic: The Gathering Arena developers, United Wizards of the Coast - CWA, has been officially elected following a petition filed with the US National Labor Relations Board. The union, which previously accused Wizards of the Coast of delaying voluntary recognition, hopes to ratify a contract soon. Members previously cited concerns about layoffs, remote work policies, generative AI, and mandatory crunch as reasons for unionizing.
Ubisoft reportedly shuts down Winnipeg and Belgrade studios
Ubisoft has reportedly closed its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios, with additional layoffs occurring at its Barcelona studio, potentially affecting up to 380 employees. The Winnipeg studio closure is particularly notable given Ubisoft's previous commitment to expand it. These actions follow a year of labor disputes, including employee strikes and previous studio closures, amidst a significant deal with Tencent.
MMO Business Roundup: Steam Deck’s price hike, Microsoft’s ActiBlizz settlement, and Rockstar UK’s union
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including Valve's Steam Deck OLED experiencing significant price hikes. Microsoft has settled a $250 million class-action lawsuit related to its Activision Blizzard acquisition. Additionally, developers at Rockstar Games have officially formed a union, the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), and plan legal action over alleged union-busting.
Wizards of the Coast writes to staff to explain "how union representation works" as studio prepares to vote to unionize
Wizards of the Coast has communicated with staff about the implications of union representation as employees prepare to vote on unionizing with the Communication Workers of America. The company stated that all current benefits and perks would be subject to negotiation, potentially resulting in changes to existing terms. The vote is scheduled with the National Labor Relations Board for June 2.
Report: Wizards of the Coast is trying to discourage workers from unionizing
Wizards of the Coast is reportedly issuing letters to employees to discourage them from unionizing, warning of potential negative outcomes. This comes as Magic: The Gathering Arena developers are set to vote on unionizing with the Communications Workers of America on June 2, 2026, after voluntarily recognizing the union failed. The union organizers state their goals include securing AI protections, bolstering job security, and addressing concerns about career progression and a return-to-office mandate.
3 years on from laying off over 1,000 people, Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast are sending daily emails and physical letters encouraging the survivors to not unionise
Wizards of the Coast is reportedly employing aggressive tactics, including daily emails and physical letters to employees' homes, to discourage workers from unionizing. Employees claim the company hired a union avoidance firm and is spreading misinformation to deter the formation of a union for the Magic: The Gathering Arena team. This follows significant layoffs in 2023, which some employees believe spurred the current unionization efforts.
Politicians accuse Rockstar of obstructing legal process, eBay rebuffs GameStop, and video game hardware screams now - Patch Notes #52
This week's Patch Notes covers several key industry events, including politicians accusing Rockstar Games of obstructing legal processes related to union-busting allegations for Grand Theft Auto 6. eBay rejected a takeover bid from GameStop, while Nintendo cited geopolitical and technological factors for its Switch 2 price increases. Additionally, Subnautica 2 achieved over a million sales in its first hour, and Valve's new Steam Controller features an audible alert when dropped.
Double Fine Productions is the latest Microsoft subsidiary to unionise
Double Fine Productions, the developer of Psychonauts, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the support of the Communications Workers of America. This move follows a trend of unionization among Microsoft subsidiaries, with the company agreeing to a neutral approach. The proposed union includes 42 employees who aim to preserve the studio's commitments to creative excellence and worker quality of life.
Psychonauts developer Double Fine are the latest Microsoft-owned studio to unionise
Double Fine Productions, the Microsoft-owned studio behind Psychonauts, has announced its decision to unionize with the Communications Workers of America. The union will include all 42 employees at the studio. This move follows similar unionization efforts by other developers owned by Microsoft, amidst recent layoffs within the company.
Double Fine is unionising at Xbox Game Studios
Double Fine, the developer of Psychonauts, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the Communications Workers of America. This move involves 42 employees and follows similar unionization efforts within Microsoft's gaming divisions, including Activision Blizzard and Zenimax. While Microsoft has historically taken a neutral stance on unionization, the company has faced delays in collective bargaining with previously formed unions.
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, UWOTC-CWA. The union expressed disappointment but remains committed to collective bargaining, citing concerns about layoffs, remote work, AI, and transparency. They are urging continued player support until an election petition filed with the National Labor Relations Board is resolved.
"They responded only to the press": Wizards of the Coast miss deadline for recognising Magic: The Gathering Arena union
Wizards of the Coast has missed a deadline to voluntarily recognize the union formed by Magic: The Gathering Arena developers. The union, United Wizards of the Coast—CWA, claims management has only responded to press inquiries and is now awaiting a National Labor Relations Board petition. The union aims to address issues like layoffs, return-to-office mandates, and generative AI adoption.
Wizards of the Coast declines to voluntarily recognize game worker union
Wizards of the Coast and its parent company Hasbro have declined to voluntarily recognize the United Wizards of the Coast—CWA union, despite a request from employees by May 1, 2026. The union, seeking increased staff wellbeing through layoff protections and generative AI guardrails, plans to proceed with a National Labor Relations Board election.
Wizards of the Coast Fails to Recognize Magic: The Gathering Arena Union, the United Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast has declined to voluntarily recognize the newly formed United Wizards of the Coast union, which represents developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena. The union, partnered with the Communications Workers Association, had requested recognition by May 1st, citing a desire for sustainable workloads, AI protections, and brand stewardship. An official election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board will now be held in the coming weeks to determine union representation.
Magic: The Gathering Arena devs announce plans to unionise
A supermajority of Magic: The Gathering Arena developers at Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, have announced plans to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This marks the first known unionization effort at Wizards of the Coast, driven by concerns over layoffs, remote work policies, and mandatory crunch. The workers are seeking protections against layoffs, safeguards for generative AI, and increased transparency and equity.
"This isn’t just something that affects Wizards of the Coast" - Magic: the Gathering Arena team vote to unionise for protection against layoffs, genAI and forced crunch
Developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena at Wizards of the Coast are organizing to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The union aims to secure better protections against layoffs, address generative AI usage, and prevent mandatory crunch. This move follows similar unionization efforts in the gaming industry and aims to give workers more say in workplace conditions and equity.
