Tessera

Game Worker Solidarity

@gameworkersolidarity.com

Mapping and documenting collective movements by game workers striving to improve their working conditions. https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/

367 Posts798 Follower 24 Folgt

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2d ago

#OtD 3 Aug 2020 Blizzard workers launched anonymous wage spreadsheet in response to wage disparity. https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2020-08-blizzard-workers-create-wage-spreadsheet

Workers at Blizzard Entertainment circulated a spreadsheet to anonymously share salaries and pay increases. The action started in response to a 2019 internal survey that found over half of workers were unhappy with their pay. In the same year, the Chief Executive Officer of Blizzard Activision, Bobby Kotick, received $40 million in compensation. When the promised action from the company did not address the wage disparity, workers launched the spreadsheet.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last wk.

#OtD 29 Jul 2024 Electronic Arts Spain Workers Unionise https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2024-07-electronic-arts-spain-workers-unionise

A union section has been formed at Electronic Arts in collaboration with CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego).

Workers have formed a section that is a horizontal organisational space with the aim of defending their rights, improving wage conditions and job stability, while fighting together to protect themselves against possible future layoffs, whether due to the rise of new technologies or unnecessary cutbacks.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last wk.

#OtD 28 Jul 2022 Strike disrupts Overwatch Contenders EU broadcast https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2022-07-strike-disrupts-overwatch-contenders-broadcast

$Two teams, Ex Oblivione and 01\_Esports, went on strike during the lower final match of the Overwatch Contenders 2022 Summer Series: A-Sides tournament. 01\_Esports had been negatively affected by an administrative call in the previous match, with confusion over the format and number of match wins. Ex Oblivione put out a statement following the refusal to compete.$

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last wk.

#OtD 28 Jul 2021 Ubisoft workers publish open letter in support of Activision Blizzard worker walkout https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2021-07-ubisoft-worker-open-letter-activision-blizzard-walkout

Over 1,000 current and former Ubisoft workers signed an open letter in solidarity with Activision Blizzard workers taking part in a walkout. The letter also demands Ubisoft management bring workers into the decision making process for how to handle the abuse and harassment revelations at the company in 2020. The workers call on Ubisoft, ABK and other comapnies to create industry standard practices around harassment and abuse. This is the first action from the A Better Ubisoft group.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last wk.

#OtD 28 Jul 2018 Launch of Game Workers Unite Vancouver https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2018-07-launch-game-workers-unite-vancouver

Workers in Vancouver formed a branch of Game Workers Unite.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last wk.

#OtD 27 Jul 2018 Launch of Game Workers Unite New York City https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2018-07-launch-game-workers-unite-new-york-city

Workers in New York City formed a branch of Game Workers Unite.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last wk.

#OtD 26 Jul 2024 SAG-AFTRA game worker members go on strike https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2024-07-sag-aftra-game-workers-members-strike

SAG-AFTRA called a strike following a year and half negotiations ending without a deal. The union was bargaining over the new [Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement](https://www.sagaftra.org/production-center/contract/820/getting-started), the[ Interim Interactive Media Agreement or the Interim Interactive Localization Agreement](https://www.sagaftra.org/contracts-industry-resources/contracts/video-game-strike/video-game-strike-interim-agreements) that would have offered agreements offer critical AI protections for members. Workers had previously voted 98.32% in favour of striking over the agreements.

As Fran Drescher, the SAG-AFTRA president explained, "We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough. When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate"

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last wk.

#OtD 26 Jul 2023 Workers protest at Kakao over layoffs https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2023-07-workers-protest-kakao-over-layoffs

Unionised workers at Kakao held a protest outside the companies headquarters. 200 workers took part and demanded apologies from senior management over layoffs. The restructuring also effected Kakao entertainment and XL Games.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last wk.

#OtD 26 Jul 2021 Workers at Activision Blizzard launch open letter supporting lawsuit against sexual harassment https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2021-07-activision-blizzard-workers-open-letter-supporting-lawsuit-sexual-harassment

More than 2,000 current and former workers at Activision Blizzard signed an open letter criticising the companies response to the recent sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2w ago

#OtD 25 Jul 2024 500 World of Warcraft workers form wall-to-wall union https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2024-07-500-world-warcraft-workers-form-wall-wall-union

500 developers formed the World of Warcraft Gamemaker's Guild, part of CWA. This wall-to-wall union covers designers, engineers, artists, and producers in California and Massachusetts. It is the second biggest union at Microsoft, following the unionisation of QA workers at Activision Blizzard. The unionisation follows walkouts in 2021.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2w ago

#OtD 24 Jul 2024 Workers at The Game Kitchen Unionise https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2024-07-workers-game-kitchen-unionise

A union section has been formed by workers at The Game Kitchen by CGT in collaboration with CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego).

This section is a horizontal organisational space that aims to give voice to workers, with the aim of defending workers' rights, creating proposals and seeing themselves represented in decision making processes.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2w ago

#OtD 24 Jul 2024 Ubisoft Barcelona Workers Unionise https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2024-07-ubisoft-barcelona-workers-unionise

Workers at Ubisoft in Barcelona unionised with support from CSVI (Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego). They are campaigning for fairer wages, decent conditions, a better future and, moreover, a better present.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2w ago

#OtD 23 Jul 2021 Games journalists pause coverage of Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2021-07-game-journalists-pause-coverage-activision-blizzard-and-ubisoft

The Gamer, GameXplain, and Prima Games put out statements that they would be ending or pausing reporting on content from Activision Blizzard or Ubisoft until action is taken on sexual harassment. Prima Games explained: "In light of recent reports regarding allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination at Activision, Blizzard, and Ubisoft, Prima Games is putting a hard pause on coverage of all Activision, Blizzard, and Ubisoft content until further notice." Similarly, GameXplain stated: "In light of the horrific sexual harassment allegations brought against Activision Blizzard, we are suspending any and all coverage of Activision Blizzard games for the remainder of the year, and perhaps indefinitely, until the work culture has been demonstrably improved."

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2w ago

#OtD 23 Jul 2021 Work stoppage and public statements in response to sexual harassment at Activision Blizzard https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2021-07-activision-blizzard-work-stoppage

At least 20 workers at Activision Blizzard spoke out online after the company put out a statement responding to the sexual harassment lawsuit filed the day before. In addition, some World of Warcraft developers stopped work "in solidarity with the women that came forward."

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2w ago

#OtD 22 Jul 2022 Workers at Tender Claws unionise with CWA https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2022-07-workers-tender-claws-unionise-cwa

Workers at the art and games studio Tender Claws voted 100% to form a union with CWA. Management at Tender Claws agreed to sign the voluntary recognition agreement, making it the 4th videogame company in North America to have a recognised union.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2w ago

#OtD 22 Jul 2021 Lawsuit filed against Activision Blizzard for discrimination and sexual harrassment https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2021-07-activision-blizzard-lawsuit-discrimination-and-sexual-harassment

A lawsuit was filed in California against Activision Blizzard which included claims that workers have faced "constant sexual harassment, including groping, comments, and advances" involving a "frat boy workplace culture." There was a case of suicide which has been connected to the harassment at the company. The lawsuit follows a two year investigation, with multiple examples and complaints. It noted that women of color were "particularly vulnerable targets."

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2w ago

#OtD 22 Jul 2020 Solidaires Informatique launch collective lawsuit against Ubisoft https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2020-07-solidaires-informatique-launch-lawsuit-against-ubisoft

The French trade union Solidaires Informatique put out a public call for a collective lawsuit at Ubisoft. Following abuse and harassment allegations at the company, the union is asking workers to come forward to be part of the lawsuit.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2w ago

#OtD 19 Jul 2024 Bethesda Game Studios Unionise with 241 workers joining CODE CWA. This is the first wall-to-wall union at Microsoft and it was recognised immediately as they'd signed a union neutrality agreement. https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2024-07-bethesda-game-studios-unionise

A majority of 241 workers at Bethesda Game Studios vote to form a union with CODE CWA. Bethesda is part of Microsoft, which has signed a union neutrality agreement, so the union was immediately recognised.

This is the first wall-to-wall union at Microsoft, which includes everyone at a location whereas the other unions at microsoft focused on a specific discipline like QA.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 2w ago

#OtD 19 Jul 2022 Activision Blizzard QA workers form a union in Albany, New York https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2022-07-activision-blizzard-qa-workers-form-union-albany-new-york

Quality Assurance workers at Activision Blizzard who are located in Albany, New York vote to form a union with CODE-CWA. This is the second QA union to form at Activision Blizzard in the USA.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 3w ago

#OtD 15 Jul 2021 Solidaires Informatique sues Ubisoft for institutional sexual harassment https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2021-07-solidaires-informatique-sues-ubisoft-sexual-harassment

Solidaires Informatique sues Ubisoft for institutional sexual harassment on behalf of workers at Ubisoft. The complaints target the Ubisoft group as a legal person and several members of the leadership. The union is asking all people who have been victims of the Ubisoft group to join in on this collective action. They're calling on everyone interested (unionised or not) to contact them, whether to testify or to file a complaint.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 3w ago

#OtD 15 Jul 2019 Twitch streamers boycott platform in support of striking Amazon workers https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2019-07-twitch-streamer-boycott-in-support-of-striking-amazon-workers

On Amazon’s “Prime Day” workers in Germany and Minnesota, USA took strike action. Some videogame streamers on Twitch (which is owned by Amazon) boycotted the platform for the two days.
As Adam “Yoman5” Hernandez, a competitive Magic: The Gathering Streamer, explained to Kotaku: “I think it’s really simple to show solidarity to people who have it hard … A boycott in solidarity with the strike can hit Amazon in the only place they care: sales numbers.” Similarly, Josh Boykin explained: “Amazon workers have striked many times beyond Prime Day, but taking these two days off in particular helps give more attention to their collective action and is a small way I can help raise awareness to their efforts.”

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 3w ago

#OtD 15 Jul 2020 Writers for Voltage's Lovestruck win 21 day strike https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2020-07-voltage-lovestruck-workers-win-strike

A group of freelance workers involved with Lovestruck launched a strike at Voltage USA. The 21 writers formed Voltage Organized Workers and organised the strike. The workers, many of whom were members of marginalized genders and/or sexualities, were being made much less than industry standards on tight timelines. They demanded that Voltage USA recognise them and meet demands around better working conditions, greater transparency, and increased protections. The strike raised almost US$9,000 in donations and the petition was signed by 4,000 supporters. The 21-day strike was the successful game workers strike, resulting in pay increases (78% on average – with the largest individual pay rise of 94%) and improved transparency.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 3w ago

#OtD 14 Jul 2020 Workers form union at Xlgames https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2020-07-workers-form-union-xigames

Workers at XLGames announced the creation of a new union, XL Reboot, under Kakao union (i.e., Crew Union), which is also under the chemical, textile and food industry division of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the country's second-largest umbrella union. Workers at XL Games experienced project drops and laid-offs after Kakao games acquired XL Games as its subsidiary. The worker made the following demands: "Abolish inclusive wage system. Ensure job security. Improve flexible work system. Implement an attendance management system."

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 3w ago

#OtD 13 Jul 2020 STJV publicly forms union section at Ubisoft Paris https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2020-07-stjv-publicly-forms-union-section-ubisoft-paris

STJV workers from Ubisoft Paris created a union section, a public legal body giving workers representation and communication power at the company.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 4w ago

#OtD 11 Jul 2023 Strike at Kylotonn https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2023-07-strike-kylotonn

Several Kylotonn employees from their studio in Paris announced a strike to protest the studio's management. Workers from Spiders gave their support during the 2nd day of the strike on the 20th of July. Both studios were bought by Nacon and, since then, the workers' say their demands have been blocked because the "studios have to negotiate with Nacon" and nothing happens after. Their demands include: a remote work policy, negotiations over minimum wages, and improvement of working conditions.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 4w ago

#OtD 10 Jul 2023 AEGIS Workers Win Union Election https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2023-07-sega-america-workers-vote-favor-union

Workers at Sega formed a union of over 200 members after winning their union election 91-26. The union, called AEGIS-CWA, is the largest multi-department union in the games industry in the US. It consists of workers from QA, Localization, Production, Marketing, Marketing Services, Licensing, and other departments.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 4w ago

#OtD 9 Jul 2018 Launch of Game Workers Unite Seattle https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2018-07-launch-game-workers-unite-seattle

Workers in Seattle formed a branch of Game Workers Unite.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last mo.

#OtD 3 Jul 2024 Polish Gamedev Union expands to Lionbridge Poland. https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2024-07-polish-gamedev-union-expands-lionbridge-poland

Workers at Lionbridge Poland have unionsed with the Polish Gamedev Workers Union. Lionbridge Poland employs around 600 workers in Poland and is a branch of Lionbridge Technologies, one of the largest translation and localization companies in the world.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last mo.

#OtD 2 Jul 2023 Escape Room Workers Union formed with the IWW https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2023-07-escape-room-workers-union-formed-iww

Workers organising at several escape rooms in the UK, including Locked in a Room, have formed the Escape Room Workers Union with the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World). They have recently gone public, campaigning for better conditions and increased pay.

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · last mo.

#OtD 30 Jun 2020 Cards Against Humanity workers unionise after report of racist and sexist culture becomes public. Workers call for Management voluntarily recognised the union https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2020-06-cards-against-humanity-workers-unionise

Cards Against Humanity workers unionise after report of racist and sexist culture becomes public. Workers call for Management voluntarily recognised the union.