Bethesda Game Studios is officially the first Microsoft game developer to full unionize under the Communication Workers of America (CWA), forming a “wall-to-wall” union of developers including artists, engineers, programmers and designers. Microsoft has recognized the union.
The union was confirmed after 241 developers either signed a union authorization card or indicated that they wanted unionization via an online portal. It follows Bethesda Games Studios Montreal’s unionization in late June and the unionization of roughly 300 quality assurance workers within Zenimax, which is Bethesda’s parent company.
“We, a majority of developers at Bethesda Game Studios Dallas, Rockville, and Austin, are ecstatic to announce the formation of our union with @CWAUnion,” the group wrote on X/Twitter. “Together as #OneBGSUSA, we advocate for the betterment of every developer at BGS, setting the new standard for our industry.”
The new union will now negotiate a contract with Microsoft. IGN has reached out to Microsoft for comment.
“We are so excited to announce our union at Bethesda Game Studio and join the movement sweeping across the video game industry,” senior system designer Mandi Parker said in a statement via press release. “It is clear that every worker can benefit from bringing democracy into the workplace and securing a protected voice on the job. We’re thrilled to get down to brass tacks and win a fair contract, proving that our unity is a source of real power to positively shape our working conditions, our lives, and the company as a whole.”
Unionization is a growing trend within the games industry as workers seek protection against mass layoffs. Sega of America’s union ratified a contract earlier this year, with Activision’s QA workers announcing a union of their own. Microsoft has previously said it would not block a potential Activision Blizzard union, which seemingly extends to Bethesda Game Studios as well.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.