If you’ve ever felt like one of the sequels to your favourite games didn’t seem to quite click, or that something was missing, or maybe even that a game changed between when you first saw the trailer and when it showed up in stores, well - chances are you were right.

Job security in the games industry is widely regarded as poor. The average game developer changes jobs (either voluntarily or otherwise) every two years, and many of them leave the industry altogether after only five . With games taking many years to develop, it's a simple mathematical fact that the team that made one game for a studio probably won’t be there for the next.

“ With games taking many years to develop, it's a simple mathematical fact that the team that made one game for a studio probably won’t be there for the next.

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What is a Union?

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Collective Action Gets Results

If you’re part of a union, you always have other people to back you up. Unions ensure you aren’t alone in asking to reduce an unfair workload, add safety rails to a dangerous area, or asking for a pay raise.

What Impact Could a Union Have on the Games Industry?

“ Unions operate differently and have different membership levels in every country.

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Supporters of unions point to examples that show unionized workers generally have a better work-life balance than non-unionised workers. Last year, more than 900,000 unionized factory workers across Germany combined their strength to negotiate the right to a 28-hour work week , something that will improve the lives of up to 4 million German workers.Additionally, union membership in Germany is so high that the law requires companies to give union representatives a seat on the executive board. This means that the ordinary worker on the factory floor has a voice at the highest levels of the company, something completely lacking in the video game industry.In the modern era, unions have proven successful in negotiating strong workplace contracts that give workers more rights than non-unionised workers. Some game developers believe that being part of a unionized workforce will help them receive overtime for the excessive hours they work, better protect them against harassment, and offer greater benefits than they otherwise would have if they all negotiated individually.In the wake of the Telltale layoffs, workers revealed that some had recently relocated across the country for the job, only to find themselves suddenly out of work in a new city with a lease they can’t pay . In unionised workplaces, employers are generally required to negotiate with union representatives about layoffs, including what payout packages are offered , what sort of assistance is provided to those laid off , and what protections are available for senior staff . This means workers can relax and put their creative energy to use, knowing that they won't suddenly be sent packing. “Making games,” said developer Katie Chironis in a recent heartbreaking piece for Polygon, “means living in constant fear of losing your job.” Unions operate differently and have different membership levels in every country, with countries like the United States having some of the lowest membership levels in the OECD . But regardless of where you live, one thing is clear: the data shows that high union membership means a greater share of company profits going to workers all with different needs , to ever successfully unionize. Others suggest that when it comes to mitigating layoffs, unionization isn’t as important as securing funding . Still other developers believe that crunch is an unavoidable reality: Raphaël Colantonio, the co-founder and former president of Arkane Studios, said that “to make extraordinary things, you need extraordinary efforts.”“I don't think anyone pulled off an amazing game with zero crunch,” claims Colantonio. “I would be surprised with that." But with company profits exploding, and Activision-Blizzard and Electronic Arts both appearing on the Most Overpaid CEOs List , some developers believe that there is plenty of room in the company budget to make life a little better for the people who are dedicating a good portion of their lives to bring us the games we love. As the head of the AFL-CIO, America’s largest union, wrote in a letter to game developers earlier this year: “Your fight is our fight, and we look forward to welcoming you into our union family.”

Tim Colwill is a trade union officer, former game developer, and one of the organisers with GWU Australia. Follow him on Twitter.