Systemic Issues in the Gaming Industry: A Call for Unionization

The video game industry has seen a significant surge in unionization efforts over the past few years, transforming conversations into concrete actions. Today, there are gaming unions worldwide, with notable successes in the United States, such as the formation of bargaining units at Raven Software, ZeniMax, and Blizzard, as well as the unionization of workers at Ubisoft Halifax in Canada. In the UK, several unions represent the gaming industry, including the Game Workers branch of the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union, established in December 2018. With approximately 1,500 members and consistent monthly growth, the union is gaining momentum. Although it has not yet achieved significant victories, the dialogue around unionization is becoming increasingly prominent. According to Spring McParlinJones, chair of the IWGB Game Workers Union, the conversation about crunch and working conditions in the gaming industry has been ongoing for about six or seven years. This, combined with the cultural impact of Jeremy Corbyn's 2017 election campaign and Bernie Sanders' campaign in America, has created a platform for discussing leftist politics and unionization in the gaming industry. IWGB Game Workers Union secretary John Paul Donnelly notes that as game workers interact and share their experiences, they begin to break down isolated groups and build a sense of community. The relentless waves of layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations have given the unionization movement significant momentum. McParlinJones emphasizes that the current state of the gaming industry is unsustainable, with everyone acknowledging the existence of a systemic problem. The case for unionization is clear: workers must come together to force executives to provide fairer treatment and give workers a say in company decision-making. History has shown that unionization is the most effective way to achieve this. Despite the sense that unionization is necessary, there are challenges in convincing workers to join a collective union. McParlinJones attributes this to an undercurrent of individualism in the tech industry, making it difficult for workers to consider collective action when they believe their big break is near. Additionally, many people are unaware of the union's existence or its goals. To address these challenges, the union is focusing on simple conversations to convince people of the benefits of unionization. Donnelly emphasizes the importance of community and dialogue in breaking down fears and misconceptions about unions. By sitting down with workers and explaining the union's goals, they can begin to build a sense of solidarity and shared purpose. The IWGB Game Workers Union is currently supporting workers at various UK studios, including those affected by layoffs and other work-related disputes. McParlinJones explains that the union is ensuring fair treatment for workers and addressing issues such as forced return-to-office orders. Despite the benefits of unionization, there are still detractors. Hostile media coverage of striking workers has contributed to a negative perception of unions. However, McParlinJones argues that this bias can be easily dispelled through conversation and education. By explaining the reasons behind workers' actions and the benefits of unionization, the union can build support and challenge anti-union narratives. The traditional narrative around unions is that they are hostile to employers, but the IWGB Game Workers Union takes a different approach. McParlinJones believes that everyone in the industry wants the same thing: success, better pay, and good working conditions. The union's goal is to work collaboratively with employers to achieve these goals. One indication of the need for a better accord between labor and capital is the high churn rate in the gaming industry. The waves of layoffs have been damaging to both workers and the industry as a whole. McParlinJones emphasizes that this is unsustainable and that the union is pushing for greater representation of workers and more diverse perspectives in industry decision-making. Although the IWGB Game Workers Union has not yet achieved a landmark victory, it remains optimistic about the future. Donnelly believes that people are becoming more aware of their rights as employees and are less willing to accept the exploitation of the industry. As the union continues to grow and push for change, the next few years are expected to be significant for the IWGB Game Workers Union.