"The United Videogame Workers-CWA Local 9433 is a direct-join organization that, according to organizers, is meant to provide a channel into activism and organizing for workers in a fragmented industry. The day of the organization's launch, its membership swelled to triple digits, and CWA members led an impromptu march from a panel discussion in Moscone's West Hall to the bandshell in Yerba Buena Gardens, accompanied by cheers from passersby."
"While fewer workers were laid off in 2025 than 2024, estimates still place the number of workers who lost their jobs last year at around 9,000. And there were other worrying developments. In the UK, Rockstar Games-the developers of the staggeringly popular Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption games- fired 31 workers in alleged retaliation for attempting to unionize."
"Electronic Arts was acquired by the Saudi Arabian government in a $55 billion leveraged buyout partially engineered by Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners. News broke just this week that EA is laying off an unknown number of the workers responsible for Battlefield 6, the biggest-selling game of 2025."
The Communications Workers of America launched the United Videogame Workers-CWA Local 9433 at last year's Game Developers' Conference to provide organizing channels for fragmented industry workers. Despite initial optimism, the following year brought continued challenges. Approximately 9,000 workers lost jobs in 2025, fewer than 2024 but still significant. Rockstar Games allegedly fired 31 workers for unionization attempts. Electronic Arts was acquired by Saudi Arabia's government for $55 billion through a leveraged buyout involving Jared Kushner's firm, with subsequent layoffs announced. Tariffs increased console prices while generative AI competition reduced computer parts availability for next-generation console manufacturing.
#video-game-industry-labor #union-organizing #corporate-layoffs #worker-retaliation #industry-consolidation
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