More than half of U.S. video game workers want to join a union, and nearly two-thirds support unions.
This is according to GDC's 2025 Gaming Industry Salary Report. which was published in November.
The survey, which included 562 industry professionals, notes that 56 percent of respondents are not currently members of a union but are interested in joining one. 64 percent said they support workers unionizing, while 28 percent said they would not be interested in joining a union.
Similar to GDC's 2024 State of the Industry (SOTI) report: young developers have again shown increased interest in supporting unions than their veteran counterparts. This figure also includes people who are currently unemployed and those who earn less than $100,000 a year.
In last year's SOTI report, which featured responses from more than 3,000 developers, 57 percent of respondents answered “yes” when asked whether games industry workers should join unions. 22 percent were more unsure and chose “maybe,” while 12 percent answered “no.”
At the time, only 18 percent of respondents said their workplaces were actively discussing unionization.
Support for unions may be linked to low wages
Continuing the 2024 report, several developers outlined the benefits of unionization, saying that union membership gives workplaces the tools to better fight for job security and benefits, and helps them more effectively address workplace toxicity.
“One of my company's departments unionized and the layoffs affected them less than other departments,” said one developer. “The work ethic in the US is far more toxic than most Americans realize, and employers will continue to take advantage of it until unions stand up and normalize a reasonable work-life balance,” another added at the time.
Of course, unions can also play an important role by demanding higher wages. Based on the 2025 gaming industry wage report, wages could be a significant factor driving union interest.
About 80 percent of working respondents said their current salary meets or exceeds their basic needs, with the highest comfort levels among program, fine arts and management/operations workers. Overall, a third of respondents believe that their work is paid fairly, but this is far from the norm.
More than half (53 percent) of respondents say they feel somewhat or significantly undervalued in their jobs. This depends on their role, experience and market conditions. Notably, this number rises to 69 percent among contractors, consultants and part-time workers.
It's also worth mentioning the specific demographics of these results. 60 percent of women and non-binary people report feeling under-rewarded, compared to 50 percent of men, as well as 62 percent of non-white game workers, compared to 50 percent of those who identify exclusively as white.
Unions have been at the center of conversations this year as industry workers try to improve working conditions for themselves and their colleagues.
Back in April after launching UVW-CWA– a direct entry union that has attracted more than 300 new members in a matter of days – union organizer and industry veteran Witt Yao said that “the way we fight back is by teaching workers to stand up for themselves and stand up for each other.”
Rockstar recently made headlines after dismissal of more than 30 employees for allegedly participating in trade union activities. British Independent Workers Union of Great Britain made formal legal claims against the company in an attempt to fight back against what it claimed was a blatant act of union-busting.
Colleagues of laid-off workers sent 220 letters to Rockstar management demanding their restoration. Supporters and union members also protested outside the offices of Rockstar and parent company Take-Two Interactive.
Game Developer and GDC are subsidiaries of Informa Festivals.
