Better Video Games Are Possible With Better Lives for Developers, New Industry Union Says

At GDC 2025, workers announced an industry-wide union with open doors allowing game developers, employed or not, to join. The United Videogame Workers, which organized under the Communications Workers of America, aims to empower games industry workers to collectively push for industry-wide benefits and protections. The UVW launched with 100 members, reaching a total of 200 on the first day as more workers joined. Right now, the union is focused on growing its membership to achieve the eventual goal of an industry-wide contract, much like the one from the US actors' union SAG AFTRA that covers all its members. The UVW is fighting for greater protections in the games industry, whose publishers, studios and companies laid off over 25,000 employees in the last two years, according to the UVW's announcement. But the effort to improve the quality of life of the people who make games also affects the games themselves, leaders said. "What does [UVW] mean for them in the long run? I think it ... Read full article.