As Layoffs Rise in the Video Game Industry, ZeniMax Online Studios Decides to Move Towards Unionization.

The video game industry has gone through a challenging year, facing a series of significant challenges, including the layoffs of thousands of workers at various companies. In January alone, Microsoft carried out 2,000 layoffs. During the ceremony of The Game Awards 2024, recognition was given to the situation of employees in the sector, coinciding at that moment with the voting of 461 members of ZeniMax Online Studios to form a union.

Microsoft has shown its support for the new union, which represents an important advance in the defense of labor rights, according to a statement from the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Alyssa Gobelle, senior motion graphics artist and member of ZOS United-CWA, commented: "By coming together and forming a union, we take a decisive step towards a better future for ourselves and our families, creating protections against layoffs and labor exploitation, as well as providing additional layers of support for workers beyond what is provided by the Family and Medical Leave Act and existing labor policies. At ZeniMax, unions are part of our culture."

This new union adds to a growing trend in the video game industry, where several companies have established unions in recent years. Sega of America formed its union in March 2023, and in the summer, a large number of World of Warcraft employees formed their own union. Bethesda Game Studios also achieved full unionization in July.

Despite these advancements, the risk of layoffs remains present in the sector. Recently, WB Games Montreal laid off 99 employees, and People Can Fly announced more than 120 layoffs. This phenomenon affects the job stability of developers, leading studios like ZeniMax Online Studios to organize themselves to create protective measures against these threats.