Game workers from America and Canada just teamed up to create the United Videogame Workers Union. They partnered with the Communications Workers of America because they want big changes across the industry. Recent years brought massive layoffs even though these same companies reported record money coming in. The UVW believes companies must value staff more than short-term cash grabs.
Many creative professionals worry about losing jobs to computer-generated content, especially since that Sony test video leaked showing Aloy from Horizon completely run by artificial intelligence. Sony quickly told Ashley Burch, who voices Aloy, that they never planned to sell this technology or replace her work. Many players strongly rejected the idea when they saw the video, showing support for keeping real actors behind game characters.
The gaming world faces an ongoing job crisis. Independent trackers counted at least 182 different companies that fired over 14,000 workers last year. The bad news continued into 2025, with another 600 people losing positions during just the first three months. The union wants to make firing staff harder unless necessary, plus guarantee former employees a first chance at any new positions that open up later.
UVW demands several worker protections including steady industry growth rather than wild hiring sprees followed by mass firings. They want companies to warn employees before layoffs happen and provide paid time after job loss. Better severance packages and longer health insurance would help fired workers survive between jobs. Most importantly, the union believes the people making these amazing games deserve control over how artificial intelligence affects their careers and creative work.
Many creative professionals worry about losing jobs to computer-generated content, especially since that Sony test video leaked showing Aloy from Horizon completely run by artificial intelligence. Sony quickly told Ashley Burch, who voices Aloy, that they never planned to sell this technology or replace her work. Many players strongly rejected the idea when they saw the video, showing support for keeping real actors behind game characters.
The gaming world faces an ongoing job crisis. Independent trackers counted at least 182 different companies that fired over 14,000 workers last year. The bad news continued into 2025, with another 600 people losing positions during just the first three months. The union wants to make firing staff harder unless necessary, plus guarantee former employees a first chance at any new positions that open up later.
UVW demands several worker protections including steady industry growth rather than wild hiring sprees followed by mass firings. They want companies to warn employees before layoffs happen and provide paid time after job loss. Better severance packages and longer health insurance would help fired workers survive between jobs. Most importantly, the union believes the people making these amazing games deserve control over how artificial intelligence affects their careers and creative work.
