Agenda

Over the last few years, thousands of game workers across the US and Canada have won certified unions and bargained first contracts at major game studios like Bethesda, Blizzard, SEGA, Paizo, and more with the Communications Workers of America (CWA)!

Last year at GDC 2025, the industry also saw the launch of United Videogame Workers (CWA Local 9433), a direct-to-join union established with CWA open to any game worker in North America.

As the industry continues to face unprecedented times, CWA game union members have returned to GDC to discuss the historic rise of the game industry labor movement, how unions are making positive changes in our industry, and visions for the future!

If you've ever wondered about the specifics of how unionization could change or benefit your workplace and our whole industry, this talk is for you!

A moderated audience Q&A session will follow!

Takeaway

Attendees will hear directly from some of the 4000+ game workers who have built their unions with CWA and will leave with a better understanding of the movement and how game worker unions can achieve tangible change through organizing and bargaining both at their specific studios and across the industry.

Intended Audience

Game workers at all levels interested in learning about the current labor union landscape of the games industry, those who are curious about industry unionization, and those who are tired of feeling helpless at the hands of the game industry's recent struggles and want to advocate for a better tomorrow.