Bethesda becomes first Microsoft game studio to unionize

Bethesda Game Studios employees announced on Friday that they have unionized under the Communications Workers of America (CWA), marking a significant milestone as the first Microsoft-owned game studio to do so.

Known for popular games like Starfield, Elder Scrolls, and Fallout, Bethesda now leads a growing movement in the gaming sector towards better working conditions and stronger collective representation. A total of 241 staff members in Maryland and Texas, including artists, engineers, programmers, and designers have come together under the CWA.

“It is clear that every worker can benefit from bringing democracy into the workplace and securing a protected voice on the job,” said Senior System Designer Mandi Parker in a press release. “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.”

The unionization at Bethesda is part of a broader trend in the video game sector. Earlier this year, ZeniMax Studios, Bethesda’s parent company, saw its quality assurance workers form the largest union in the industry at the time, with 300 members. This was soon surpassed by 600 quality assurance workers at Activision, another Microsoft-owned company, who also joined the CWA.

Microsoft has officially recognized the union, integrating Bethesda’s Maryland office employees into CWA Locals 2108 and those in Texas into CWA Locals 6215. The studio will join other CWA members at SEGA of America and Tender Claws.