First Industry-Wide Video Game Union Launched

The United Videogame Workers-CWA (UVW-CWA), an industry-wide union, has been launched in North America to empower video game workers across the U.S. and Canada. Announced at the Game Developers Conference 2025, this direct-join union allows workers from diverse roles like artists, designers, and QA testers to join, regardless of employment status. The initiative, backed by the Communications Workers of America, seeks to address issues like mass layoffs, job security, and labor rights, while also advocating for AI protections amid rising industry changes. This union marks a significant step in ongoing efforts to enhance worker conditions in the gaming industry, which has seen previous unionization attempts by companies such as Activision and ZeniMax. The UVW-CWA also partners with the American Federation of Musicians, aiming to create a more inclusive and protective environment for all video game workers. The union's mission is to reclaim control of the industry from corporate interests and invest in its future by supporting its workforce.