iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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CTIJ Montréal / GWU Montreal @gwu-montreal.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Today marks the public launch of the Ubisoft Workers of Montreal (UWM) campaign, with a first action: a petition to preserve hybrid work. Every Ubisoft Montreal employee is invited to sign the petition and every supporter encouraged to reach out to their network to encourage them to sign!

Poster from Ubisoft Workers of Montréal on a pole, with a link to a petition, and text reading "we made our mark from a distance - preserve hybrid work"

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Mike Bithell @mikebithell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

2026 in videogame development

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CWA @cwaunion.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Today, 268 dedicated video game workers lost their livelihoods as XBOX continues to put profits ahead of the workers who are the heart and soul of the platform's games. CWA does not expect today's layoffs to impact union-represented workers.

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Jason Kint @kint.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Eye popping. Court just unsealed Summary Judgment motions in New York Times v OpenAI / Microsoft. Easy to see why the AI companies had so many redactions (pink). Their own people wrote the lede for NYT, the "largest theft of labor in human history"... "more and more substitutive..." /1

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Never be a scab. You'll betray your fellow workers and the company STILL won't respect you. It's a lose-lose.

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 10/09/2026

Closing out the rally, @nershly.bsky.social beautifully speaks about her experience being fired by Rockstar and how they try to use fear.

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Guaranteed remote and hybrid protections. Salary increases. Recall rights to open positions 14 months after a layoff anywhere in Blizzard. Massive congratulations to the units at Blizzard for securing these rights (and more) in their historic contract! A win for one is a win for all ✊

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The 40 hour work week. Compensation for overtime. The right to organize and strike. These were not inherent rights given to all in the US and Canada. They were fought for by the courageous workers who came before us. On Labor Day, we remember how far we've come, as well as our fight left ahead.

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Annie Barrett @gingerdruid.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I had a chance to speak with our local news org about the layoffs affecting the Austin area. Part of the city's culture is gaming, and it's important we protect it.

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Dave Wallace @dave-wallace.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

So, in the SAG-AFTRA video game strike of 2016--not the most recent one--SAG-AFTRA attempted to codify residuals to voice actors for games. The game companies--predictably--fought back against that. What was interesting, though, was the behind-the-scenes talk of *why* they fought back. <cont'd>

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Annie Barrett @gingerdruid.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

With each layoff, real people are affected and real lives are turned upside down with uncertainty. As long as this continues, developers will never feel safe, and I'm proud to lend my voice to this cause and speak about the true impact these decisions cause.

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Developers like Ruben care about making games players can enjoy for years and improving with every update and future release. You can support devs like Ruben by using the link in our bio to #SaveGameWorkers.

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

When we fight, we win! ✊

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emilio g @emiliog.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

we marched in the heat, we marched in the rain. we'll march in wind, we'll march in ice. we'll always be ready to remind Xbox and Microsoft leadership that we make the games and the money, while all they seem to make is mistakes. they can't reinvent a business they don't understand. #SaveOurDevs

a group of game workers in red t-shirts react to a speaker with smiles

a man with glasses, a grey goatee, and bald head holds a megaphone

a woman with glasses and long brown hair speaks into a microphone while standing in front of a large cloth banner

the marchers assemble with their signs for a group photo

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Tempetatures over 100 F? Not enough to stop Austin devs from showing up today! #SaveOurDevs

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CWA @cwaunion.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Today, game workers and allies are taking action at Save Our Devs actions across the US and Canada to call out layoffs and corporate greed in the industry and to demand fair first contracts across Microsoft’s gaming studios.

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

We've seen some questions pop up around layoffs: "well, if they were laid off, didn't that mean they weren't doing a good job? Maybe they deserved it." And on its face, that sounds logical and legitimate. Because the opposite would just be pure cruelty, right? ...Right? ...So here's the thing.

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Zoë “Baddie Proctor” Quinn @unburntwitch.com · 13/08/2026

Here's this same guy, Matt Karsh, who was personally responsible for shutting down some of the game studios Embracer killed over the last few years, saying HE QUIT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FIRE *ENOUGH* GAME DEVELOPERS FOR HIS LIKING www.gamedeveloper.com/business/sab...

But flip the coin over, and you'll find the former interim COO of Embracer, who took on the role of "the bad guy" when evaluating whether to shut down studios and cancel games. He said he reviewed many of the games in development at Embracer subsidiaries and identified a number that would have been "not good." "At that point you either put the team on something else, or you close down, or you reduce the team size," he said. "When money is tight, you have no choice."

He said he departed Embracer because he was "insistent" the company needed to do more of that. Certain studios, he said, should never have been started in the first place. He called out one subsidiary with a team of what he said were inexperienced developers that had never shipped a game before, pouring millions of dollars into a game licensed from a major franchise.

"After a long period of time, there was nothing really to show for it," he said. "Their goal was basically to start anew." He said it didn't give him any pleasure to argue that the studio had to be shut down.

(It's only the description that this studio was new and founded with people who "hadn't shipped a game before" that keeps it from sounding like Aspyr's ill-fated work on the remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. In a follow-up email a Saber spokesperson declined to state which studio Karch was referring to.)

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Marie Jasmin @mariejasmin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Welcome to the game industry, Scabby the labor dispute rat. We didn't want it to come to this, but here we all are. We love you and we're happy to have you on our side. May you shame many more greedy conglomerates with us.🐀

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Ash Parrish, Kotaku's LeBron James @adashtra.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

It really does trip me out that this is Xbox's key janglin' era because sis really saw that giant rat and people talking about it and decided 'lets breadcrumb them som TES 6 info!'

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Without game developers, there are no video games. Join us across nine cities next Tuesday, August 18th, as we rally for the rights of workers in the games industry. All allies welcome - when we fight boss battles together, WE WIN! ✊ Details: actionnetwork.org/event_campai...

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Nathan Grayson @nathangrayson.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

workers also planted flags outside the office, one for each laid-off dev. the union sent me a video of all of them, and the number is truly striking. imagine just... ignoring that

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

“The Elder Scrolls VI: Laid Off” Brought to you by the developers XBOX laid off last month.

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Zack Zwiezen @zackzwiezen.com · 11/08/2026

Pay no attention to the rat. Instead, let me tell you how big and great Elder Scrolls 6 is. Please stop looking at the rat. Please.

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

SCABBY THE RAT HAS SPAWNED INTO THE LEVEL

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

NEW: CWA union members have inflated a giant rat and deployed a wall of red flags representing laid off Xbox workers outside the Bethesda office in Rockville. The protest was timed to coincide with a visit from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who is apparently at the studio today.

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Really heartening to see both game workers and players wake up to the realities of what collective action can do to change things. The tide is turning. Everyone, including you, deserves a union.

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

UVW-CWA's hardship fund has raised over 100k through the bundle with @itch.io and has had a real impact on the lives of laid off developers. You can help by purchasing the bundle, and make a long-term difference by joining UVW-CWA. Check out the bundle here: itch.io/b/3802/game-...

Quote from a OneBGS member who was impacted by layoffs: "The UVW-CWA hardship fund just covered all my expenses for the move back home."

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Special shoutout to the players who have been supporting and spreading the word about the itch bundle to support the Game Workers Hardship Fund! Your solidarity means the world to us, and player-dev solidarity is a critical component for driving positive change in the artform we love. We love you! 💪

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

On July 6th, Microsoft laid off 50% of id Software. Among these cuts were folks like John "Jebus" Roberts, a principal engine programmer on the id Tech engine. For 15 years, Jebus supported the games you love. #SaveGameWorkers by telling Microsoft to end their cycles of layoffs: shorturl.at/5ruBE

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

No devs, no games. We are the ones that make the games, and we will fight for every developer hit by these layoffs.

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Bethesda Games Studios’ Montreal workers are being treated especially poorly by XBOX and we won’t stand for it. Here are the details. If this upsets you let Microsoft know: feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/ide...

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Some photographs from the 'Save Our Devs' rallies in Rockville, Montreal, Dallas, Austin, and Redmond—held yesterday in protest of the latest mass layoffs at Xbox. I'm told by a union organiser that over 150 employees turned out in Rockville alone.

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CWA @cwaunion.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Game workers and allies are taking action at #SaveOurDevs rallies! Earlier this month, Microsoft reported that they would be laying off thousands of workers across the company – impacting hundreds of union jobs. An injury to one video game worker is an injury to all.

A photo of workers at a rally against layoffs!

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emilio g @emiliog.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Austin's rain couldn't keep us from raising our voices against Microsoft's Xbox layoffs! current and laid-off union members from @bethesdaunion.bsky.social, @zenimaxworkers.bsky.social, and ZSSU were joined by members of @cwaunion.bsky.social and @videogameworkers.bsky.social for today's rally!

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Councilmember Marissa Valeri @marissavaleri.com · 15/07/2026

I was proud to attend the ZeniMax protest this afternoon, at their headquarters in Rockville. I stand with the workers who were layed off, calling on Microsoft to do the right thing: reverse the layoffs and support your game developers. #SaveOurDevs #OneBGS #ZeniMaxWorkersUnited #RockvilleMD

A large group of protesters wearing red clothing holds signs advocating for labor rights and job security, gathered under trees in a residential area.

A sign reading "OUR PLAYERS DESERVE BETTER" displayed against a backdrop of trees.

A person in a red top is speaking into a microphone while raising a fist. They are standing outdoors in front of a building with the name "ZeniMax" visible. The scene includes another individual in the foreground holding a phone.

A person with long hair holds a sign that reads, "We are NOT COGS! We are the Heart & MIND of the MACHINE!" The background shows a building with the name "Zenith" and some greenery.

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

What's this?! Another amazing "Save Our Devs" mod from one of our fans?! 🥹 Thank you so much @greenfoxel.bsky.social! It's been a crazy week but seeing things like this helps push us forward.

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

First Skyrim, now Fallout 4, @elianora.bsky.social continues to support us with her fantastic creations. Thank you yet again! This week's rallies are going to be historic and we couldn't do it without fans like these! 💛💙

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Matt Firor @thefiror.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

I'm hardly an impartial observer (and am even name-checked in the article), but this article does a good job summing up the utter senselessness of the recent carnage at ZeniMax Online. Again, my heart goes out to everyone impacted, it is just so cruel and unnecessary www.pcgamer.com/games/mmo/th...

pcgamer.com

The Elder Scrolls Online's developer deserved better than to get sucker-punched by Microsoft twice in two years

$2 billion over 10 years can't save you from Xbox.

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Lady Nerevar @ladynerevar.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Got tagged into a thread about how the community can support laid off devs, so I thought I'd put together a quick infographic. I made this company agnostic, since, well, games industry has been doing this a lot :( More Elder Scrolls specific notes in thread below.

Orange and Blue poster titled: How can the community support developers undergoing layoffs?

DON'T
Don't spread rumors or misinformation
About who is/isn't laid off, why anyone was/wasn't laid off, what is going to happen to the game, etc.

Don't do things to "support" the devs if they haven't asked
Don't review bomb games, cancel subscriptions, boycott the company, or yell at company employees online if the developers haven't asked you to. It does not help them.

Don't forget about this
The consequences of layoffs don't end when the news cycle moves on. Remember the devs when there's a cool announcement that they should have been a part of, or a bad bug they could have prevented.

DO!
Do listen to the developers and amplify their voices
Use your platform to share the human stories of those affected, not just the impacts it'll have on the game.

Do dispel and correct misinformation
If you see someone saying something mean or misinformed, shut them down or correct them if you're able to.

Do follow the developer's lead
If the developers ask for a specific action (like a comment writing campaign, a protest, or removing a post you've made), do it!

Do tell them they mattered
Tell the team (or individual developers) about the impact their work had on you

Do offer direct support, if you can
Buy their art, listen to their podcast, leave a LinkedIn review if you worked with them, let them know if your company is hiring, etc.

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💀Legendary Imposter Elianora ★★★★ @elianora.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I promised I'd get the mod up before bed! :) Unified Front - A Dev Support Mod is out now on Bethnet and @nexusmods.com creations.bethesda.net/en/skyrim/de... www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecia... @bethesdaunion.bsky.social @zosunited.bsky.social

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Wage theft comes in many forms, and once you start seeing it, it’s everywhere. Layoff after ship? Wage theft. Not getting a bonus that’s in your contract? Wage theft. Doing Lead level work but still only a Senior? Wage theft. Misclassified contractor? Wage theft.

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

What you’re describing actually exists: it’s called a co-op, and it could very well be the future of the industry! Want to learn how to make one or get involved in setting the standards for the games industry of the future? Join the UVW Co-Op Committee!

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Lady Nerevar @ladynerevar.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Among the layoffs was character artist Christiane Meister — a 27-year veteran of Bethesda and (as far as I can tell) one of the longest tenured women in games, period. She worked on Argonians + Khajiit in TES3, horses in TES4 and TES5, Fallout creatures, and more. (cont'd)

Screenshot from the 2006 TES4: Oblivion Making Of documentary, showing Christiane sitting an an old school CRT monitor working on a horse. Her cubical is decorated with action figures and plushies, many of them of Stitch from Lilo and Stitch, but also a fishtank and a poster of TES3 Morrowind.

Photo of the TES3 Morrowind developers around 2002. Christiane sits in the middle, one of the few women on the team.

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Rebeccah with an H @bexbassell.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Unfortunately I’m one of the 1,600 devs who lost their jobs yesterday due to the #XboxLayoffs I loved my job at Bethesda with my whole heart. The teams I got to lead, the features I got to ship, the incredible fans I got to meet while working on Fallout were beyond S.P.E.C.I.A.L. I’ll miss it all.

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