GTL: The "Game Workers Unite!" Movement Divides The Industry
By Twin Galaxies Editorial Staff ·
Is the game industry capable of unionization? That's what "Game Workers Unite!" Movement is pursuing, but it finds itself at odds with the International Game Developers Association.
As the "Game Workers Unite!" movement fights for unionization in the video game workplace, it finds itself butting heads with the International Game Developers Association (IGDA). Game Talk Live discusses game industry unionization and more with Special Guest Host Marcus Beer, who is joined by a panel including Kate Edwards of Take This Org, Associate Professor of Labour Relations Johanna Weststar, and game developer Alex Brazie.
The "Game Workers Unite!" Movement has taken on the task of attempting to break developers, creators, and all workers in the industry together under a union of fair pay and an ethically sound and safe environment for anyone involved in game design. The panel considers crunch as one of the largest problems that has led game industry members to pursue this role.
Is crunch justified under any circumstance? Is it something the industry should just accept or is there cause to fight this seemingly natural part of modern day game production? Each of these questions are discussed.
"The #game industry has seen, over the last 10-15 years, more discussions in the #online space about issues of #qualityoflife, #unionization and poor working conditions." - @jweststar
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) March 28, 2018
Watch Live: https://t.co/7ul8VeiWuX#crunch #gamedevjobs #devcrunch pic.twitter.com/P2Bi9ByoIT
On the regards of unions, the panelists discuss the possibilities, pros, and cons of unionizing the game industry. The matter of just how many different areas of game design there are comes up as an issue. Moreover, discussion of what the unions could actually do for the game industry is addressed.
The panel looks to various other unions of similar nature, such as unions for actors and other creative industries. Debate comes up as to whether or not the models used by these unions can actually work in the game industry where the problems are quite different in the workplace and the type of effort delivered.
"#GameDevs themselves are saying 'Look, I can't make really great #games anymore because of these...negative conditions in my workplace.'" -@jweststar
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) March 28, 2018
Watch Live: https://t.co/7ul8VeiWuX #IGDA #GameWorkersUnite #gamedevelopment #crunch #devjobs pic.twitter.com/GqwzR8w8ss
Considering unions and their role even further, the panel considers the efforts that go into game design. The matter of how difficult it is to find one's way into game design naturally through networking and luck comes up. The matter of apprenticeship comes up, viewed as a possible positive notion for game industry unionization.
Is it an investment in the future if designers can find their way into apprenticeship with a union to watch, learn, and work from mentorship? Panelists speak of their own experience with mentorship in the game industry and mentorship elsewhere. Generally, the cause of mentorship is viewed as a positive outcome of unionization.
“The average age of #gamesdevelopers is pretty young and it’s because a lot of people leave #games and go to something more stable." -@jweststar
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) March 28, 2018
Watch Live: https://t.co/7ul8VeiWuX#crunch #gamedevjobs #GameDesign #GameWorkersUnite #gamedevelopment pic.twitter.com/IzSSNe5YFY
As the IGDA and "Gamers Workers Unite!" Movement have begun to clash recently, the panel discusses what the IGDA does and its similarities and differences to unionization. Debate considers what would be best for how to continue to grow the movement and what it can do that the IGDA cannot.
Resistance to a game industries union is considered. Who stands to suffer from a game industry union? Moreover, what are the actual dangers of a union as seen by these groups. What are the things that a union promises, but may not deliver and how may a union be manipulated against the safe and fair environment it is meant to provide? On the flipside, what kind of legal leverage can a union provide that game industry workers are currently without?
“[#Unions] do not guarantee success. They do not make your star performers better performers." -@xelnath#GameWorkersUnite #gamedevjobs #devrights #crunch #DevStories #GameCreation #gaming
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) March 28, 2018
Watch Live: https://t.co/7ul8VeiWuX pic.twitter.com/jDFYn4xVbh
Today's episode has wrapped up, but you can catch it in its entirety in the video above. Be sure to check out the previous episode in which Game Talk Live discusses whether or not Super Smash Bros coming to Nintendo Switch will divide its competitive scene.