A Historic Shift: Gaming’s First Industry-Wide Union Takes On an Industry in Crisis
The gaming industry just witnessed a watershed moment. In March 2026, workers across the U.S. and Canada launched United Videogame Workers-CWA Local 9433, a direct-join, industry-wide video game union with the Communications Workers of America in partnership with the American Federation of Musicians. The launch was formally announced at the 2026 Game Developer Conference in San Francisco, marking the culmination of years of grassroots organizing that began at the same conference seven years earlier.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. Across the industry, over 10,500 jobs were lost in 2023 and an additional 14,600 jobs were lost in 2024, even as gaming remains one of the most profitable entertainment sectors globally. Over 30 studios have laid off their entire staff and were closed by their parent companies, including some of the largest and most profitable corporations like Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment.
This year, nearly 1,600 workers behind some of the industry’s biggest games have formed unions with CWA’s Campaign to Organize Digital Employees, and over 500 video game workers have joined United Videogame Workers-CWA since its launch. The union represents everyone from AAA developers to freelancers and laid-off workers, providing a platform for collective action beyond individual studios.
What does this mean for gamers? Better working conditions often translate to better games, as burnout and crunch culture diminish creativity and quality. As the industry evolves, will unionization become the new standard that protects both workers and the art they create?
