Psychonauts Maker Double Fine Forms Latest Union At Microsoft
Kotaku • • technology
Key Points:
- Developers at Microsoft-owned game studio Double Fine have filed a petition to form a union representing 42 regular and part-time workers, seeking voluntary recognition from Microsoft and an election through the National Labor Relations Board.
- The unionization effort aims to uphold commitments to creative excellence, diversity, inclusion, and worker quality of life, with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) representing the employees.
- This move continues the growing trend of unionization within the U.S. gaming industry, particularly among Microsoft-owned studios such as Blizzard, ZeniMax Online, Bethesda, and id Software.
- Double Fine is the first standalone Microsoft-owned studio to unionize under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, potentially testing her stance on labor organizing following the expiration of a prior labor neutrality agreement.
- The petition comes shortly after Double Fine’s release of Kiln on Game Pass, which, despite limited traction on Steam, may have reached a wider audience through Microsoft’s subscription service.
