This year again, after many terrible years for our industry, we are seeing an avalanche of layoffs just before Christmas.
Over 300* UK game workers, including employees at Coatsink, Splash Damage, Glowmade, and Square Enix are at risk of losing their jobs. At a time when most people are preparing to celebrate with their families and to give selflessly, they stand to lose their jobs and face being put through stressful redundancy procedures.
We are tired of seeing heartless platitudes about “remaining agile”, “concentrating focus”, and “challenging market conditions”, when the UK video games industry is projected to generate £12 billion of Gross Value Added in 2025.
Talent and knowledge that has been accumulated collectively by workers in our sector may once again be lost. Not through any fault of those actually making games but through poor decisions, made by the few.
We see little movement towards a sustainable future in our industry and no long-term vision making; greed and lack of responsibility is widespread among our so-called “industry leaders”.
We stand with all those affected in their struggle and we will ensure that legal processes are followed. We are watching.
Game workers, it is time to join a Union and support your fellow workers. With numbers on our side, we can bring about meaningful and lasting change, together.
* number has increased to over 400 and counting between this statement being written and it being published.