Why did United Videogame Workers protest The Game Awards?

UVW protested The Game Awards to raise awareness about industry greed, over 40,000 layoffs, and the impact on game workers.

What are the main concerns of game industry workers?

Workers are concerned about massive layoffs, corporate greed, AI replacing jobs, and lack of healthcare and layoff protections.

How do game worker rights affect players?

The UVW believes better worker rights lead to more ambitious projects, fewer buggy games, and better overall quality for players.

Home / Business and Economy / Game Workers Strike at The Game Awards

Game Workers Strike at The Game Awards

15 Dec

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Summary

Workers protested outside The Game Awards over industry greed.
Over 40,000 layoffs have impacted the industry recently.
Union claims better worker rights lead to better games for players.

As The Game Awards ceremony unfolded, unionized game workers gathered outside to protest what they call 'greed' within the industry. The United Videogame Workers (UVW) voiced concerns over tens of thousands of recent layoffs and the pervasive use of AI in game development. They highlighted that the industry's focus on profit over people leads to games being "sold for parts" for short-term financial gain, neglecting the creative aspect of game-making.

The protesters pointed to the significant number of job losses, exceeding 40,000 in recent years, and alleged union-busting tactics by major studios. They believe that prioritizing worker rights, including protections against layoffs and the guaranteed provision of healthcare, directly contributes to a healthier and more innovative gaming environment. This, they argue, benefits players by reducing buggy releases and game cancellations.