Bethesda Game Studios is officially the first Microsoft game developer to fully 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 signed union authorization cards or indicated they wanted to unionize through an online portal. The move follows the unionization of Bethesda Games Studios Montreal in late June and that of about 300 quality assurance workers at Bethesda’s parent company Zenimax.
“We, a majority of developers from Bethesda Game Studios Dallas, Rockville and Austin, are excited to announce the formation of our union with @CWAUnion,” the group wrote on X/Twitter“Together as #OneBGSUSA, we are advocating 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 thrilled to announce the formation of a union at Bethesda Game Studio and join the movement sweeping the video game industry,” said Mandi Parker, senior systems designer, in a press release. “It’s clear that every worker can benefit from introducing democracy into the workplace and ensuring a protected voice on the job. We’re excited to get down to business 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 in the video game industry, with workers seeking protection from mass layoffs. Sega of America’s union ratified a deal earlier this year, and Activision’s quality assurance workers announced their own union. Microsoft has already said it won’t block a potential union at Activision Blizzard, which also appears to be spreading to Bethesda Game Studios.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director and co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Got a tip? Send her a private message at @the_katbot.