Bethesda Union Protests Microsoft Layoffs with Inflatable Rat
Bethesda developers are protesting Microsoft's recent layoffs with a giant inflatable rat outside their headquarters. Unionized workers are planning nationwide rallies to voice their opposition to the job cuts. Even a Skyrim modder has shown solidarity by incorporating union logos into the game.
Coverage across 4 outlets
Bethsoft devs roast Microsoft with a giant inflatable rat as unions plan huge rallies next week
Developers at Bethesda Game Studios have protested Microsoft's recent mass layoffs by erecting a giant inflatable rat and flags representing laid-off workers outside their Rockville HQ. This action precedes planned rallies by Microsoft game developers across the US and Canada on August 18th to protest layoffs and corporate greed.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's internal playthrough of The Elder Scrolls 6 disrupted by a giant inflatable rat, as Bethesda union protests cuts
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's internal playthrough of The Elder Scrolls 6 was disrupted by a protest organized by the CWA video game union outside Bethesda's offices. The protest, featuring a giant inflatable rat and red flags representing laid-off employees, aimed to highlight the substantial job cuts made by Microsoft. Sharma briefly commented on the game's scale and story on X, while the union vowed to continue fighting against the layoffs.
Comings and Goings
The union representing Bethesda employees confirmed participation in Xbox layoff protests, stating they will not 'quietly disappear.' This action highlights ongoing employee concerns regarding recent job cuts within Microsoft's gaming division.
Unionized workers at Bethesda studios plan a nationwide protest against recent layoffs on July 15
Unionized workers at Bethesda Game Studios, known as OneBGS, are organizing a nationwide protest on July 15th against recent layoffs at studios like ZeniMax Online Studios. The union accuses Microsoft and Bethesda of attempting to circumvent their legal obligation to bargain over these decisions by reframing them as business scope changes. Separately, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has joined a Federal Reserve task force focused on the economic impact of new technologies like artificial intelligence.
"We are the best allies to game devs": Skyrim modder shows solidarity with laid off Bethesda workers by draping union logos across Tamriel
A Skyrim modder named Elianora has created a mod called 'United Front' to show solidarity with recently laid-off Bethesda workers. The mod adds union logos to shields and banners within the game, encouraging players to raise awareness for the 'Save Our Devs March' organized by the OneBGS union. This action aims to send a message to Microsoft regarding the recent layoffs affecting Bethesda and other Xbox-owned studios.
