The video game industry is experiencing change, as a new union has emerged to support developers across the United States and Canada. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) recently announced the United Video Game Workers (UVW-CWA) formation. This initiative promises to be a beacon for those seeking stability and community within this dynamic industry.
The reveal occurred at this week’s Game Developers Conference. This direct-join, industry-wide union is open to anyone working in games, whether they are full-time employees, freelancers, or contractors. Following years of notable labor movements involving companies like Activision, Microsoft, and Bethesda, the CWA’s announcement is timely and necessary.
Today, we are announcing the formation of United Videogame Workers-CWA, an industry-wide union formed by @CODE_CWA and @CWAUnion 💪🎮
We're launching at #GDC2025 this morning to build a video game industry that works for us. We're done playing. pic.twitter.com/vPfAqsJbAO
— United Videogame Workers-CWA (@vgworkers) March 19, 2025
With over 25,000 jobs lost in the gaming sector over the past two years and 14,600 layoffs reported just last year, the urgency for such a collective effort cannot be overstated. The annual GDC State Of The Industry report earlier this year revealed that about 11% of respondents faced layoffs in a single year. Alarmingly, nearly 20% were left without any explanation regarding their job loss.
The mission statement of UVW-CWA reflects a commitment to creating an environment where talent thrives rather than being exploited for short-term profits. “These workers are taking a bold stand,” said Tom Smith, CWA’s Senior Director of Organizing. “They are joining together to build power for the workers behind the games we all know and love.” This sentiment captures hope and resilience amid uncertainty in our favorite gaming world.
The union aims to unify various demographics, laid-off individuals, freelancers feeling marginalized, and disillusioned contractors, all striving towards common goals: dignity and job security for every worker involved in developing these interactive experiences we cherish so much.
This fresh chapter invites us all to reflect on what it means to work in an industry rife with passion yet often fraught with instability. As members collect signatures advocating for better conditions around employment practices, one can only wonder how this will reshape conversations around labor rights moving forward. Will more unions follow suit? What might that mean for our favorite titles?
