Between the layoffs at Rockstar because of a Slack controversy back in October and Microsoft’s studio closures, union efforts have never been more important. The game industry is ripe with controversy these days: AI debates, EA’s leveraged buyout, and Xbox’s usual shenanigans. Last month, people representing six different game worker unions gathered in Paris for a summit hosted by the French union Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV). The quote below from one of the speakers in the summit perfectly captures their grievances:
“Our jobs are under threat, we are denied a voice in our workplaces, and policies such as ‘return to office’ and tools like generative AI are being forced upon us, even though they degrade our working conditions.”
The joint statement was posted on the UK IWGB Game Workers website (h/t Eurogamer), and is the combined sentiment of six different unions across Europe: STVJ (France), Game Workers Unite Ireland, ver.di Game Devs Roundtable (Germany), FIOM-CGIL Milan Work Council (Italy), Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego (Spain), and Independent Workers of Great Britain (UK).
Protests, Union Efforts, And Exploitation
This cross-border alliance comes as a direct result of union efforts and the protests that took place outside Take-Two Interactive’s office back in November. These protests took place back when Rockstar allegedly fired 31 employees for discussing Slack policy changes. Many saw this as an act of union-busting, which is why we’re seeing all this outrage today. The way people believe they are being taken advantage of is concerning, but the union workers seem hopeful:
“We can do something, and we will. We vow to increase cooperation between our unions in both the short and long term, and to stay united in front of all that’s going on in our industry and the world.”
Surprisingly, some people have some very hot takes around what seem like otherwise harmless and positive union efforts. Here’s a comment under Eurogamer’s post that offers a different perspective:
“I just think they need to move with the times, it’s panic for panic’s sake. AI isn’t going anywhere and there’s been many innovations through the ages that have wiped out careers but this isn’t one of them.”
I partly agree with the fact that we need to move with the times. Let’s incorporate better AI practices, try to use it ethically without exploiting creatives, and retain our hard-working talent. However, saying AI won’t limit careers when games like Arc Raiders and The Finals use it as a replacement for voice acting isn’t very helpful.
And let’s remember, these protests and union efforts aren’t just about AI: they’re about union busting, sudden layoffs, and lack of support for employees.
