Double Fine Productions, the studio known for games like Psychonauts, is taking a big step. They’ve filed a petition to unionize with the help of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This move reflects a growing trend in the gaming industry where workers are seeking more rights and better working conditions.
The petition was submitted on May 7 and includes all 42 regular part-time and full-time employees. The CWA announced that this union is aimed at enhancing creative excellence, ensuring diversity and inclusion, and improving overall worker well-being. They praised Microsoft for taking a neutral stance, allowing employees the freedom to organize without interference.
This unionization effort is part of a larger movement within Microsoft. The CWA has been proactively organizing workers across various studios owned by Microsoft, especially amid recent layoffs that have impacted thousands. Juniper Dowell, a senior QA tester at Zenimax Bethesda, mentioned the hope for a new neutrality agreement to protect workers’ organizing rights.
In a notable development in 2025, CWA also created a direct-join union for game workers who have been laid off or are not associated with a specific studio. This union, UVW-CWA, already has over 550 members. Kaitlin “KB” Bonfiglio, the union’s secretary, shared that they proposed a bill of rights for game workers, aiming for universal protections in the industry.
Despite these efforts, ratifying contracts has been slow, partly due to delays at Microsoft. However, the momentum continues to build as workers seek a voice in their working conditions.
This trend reflects a broader movement in various industries, where workers are increasingly seeking union representation for better wages and job security. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 64% of Americans support labor unions, the highest level in decades. As more employees advocate for their rights, the impact on the workplace could be significant.
For more on workers’ rights in the gaming industry, you can check out the CWA.
