iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 09/09/2026

Congratulations to all our union siblings at Blizzard! This industry badly needs unions to fight against the unrelenting corporate greed and poor treatment of its workers and you've taken a big step at addressing that.

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

🗣️ WE DID IT!!! 💪 Last night at midnight, sales of the Game Industry Hardship Fund itch bundle officially ended after we had to up our max goal THREE TIMES... and we STILL broke it! GRAND TOTAL: $252,456 RAISED! AMAZING WORK 🙏

A screenshot from the itch page of the game industry hardship fund itch bundle, showing that it raised over %250k, with about 18.5k contributors, an average donation of $13.58, and a top donation of five thousand smackeroonies

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Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 11/08/2026

Scabby the Rat is out to welcome XBOX leadership today.

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Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 02/08/2026

Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me @gamespodcast.bsky.social about the layoffs at id Software. We have been very proud to make games so many people loved. Some of the best game developers in the business were let go for reasons that aren't clear and I don't know how to make sense of it

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Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 29/07/2026

Jebus is an incredible developer and friend of mine. He, along with all the other talented developers that Microsoft laid off, did not deserve this. #SaveGameWorkers

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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 Hays @hays.fyi · 18/07/2026

I remember when I used to spend my weekends enjoying my free time and not wondering if Microsoft will lay off another 1600 of my fellow XBOX coworkers come Monday. Good games do not get made in these working conditions.

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ZOS United-CWA @zosunited.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Thank you so much to all the fans who have always and continue to show up for us. You make this work meaningful and we cant do this without you. Also we are now all ugly crying, thanks for that :) We are not calling for boycotts at this time. Watch this space for the next action coming up.

youtube.com

We Must Demand Better - Tamriel Solidarity March against Microsoft Layoffs

YouTube video by VividScrolls

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Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 15/07/2026

Workers throughout North America came together to #SaveOurDevs in response to the senseless layoffs Microsoft performed last week. Unions across @cwaunion.bsky.social are saying enough. The id Software union, BFU, plans to fight like hell.

Unionized game developers hold signs with anti-layoff messaging in next to the Microsoft sign at the Redmond headquarters while I give a speech.

Unionized game developers hold signs with anti-layoff messaging and chant in front of the Microsoft sign at the Redmond headquarters.

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Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 12/07/2026

On Wednesday, July 15th there will be emergency rallies at multiple Xbox locations across the US and Canada in protest of the thousands of jobs needlessly cut. We've had enough. Unions are here to fight to save the game industry from the management dead set on destroying it. Join us in the fight!

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

The bosses are stealing our game industry, and we aim to take it back! We’re calling game workers, allies, and fans alike to join emergency rallies on WEDNESDAY, JULY 15th! Check this thread for times and locations as they’re established: 🧵

An illustration, done in a flat graphic style depicting a menacing executive with a sickly smile, towering over scores of downtrodden workers carrying boxes of their belongings out of frame. Below, a call to action:

SAVE OUR DEVS
JULY 15 - Rallies across US & Canada
END MASS LAYOFFS NOW

Dallas, Texas (Richardson) - Id Software
Austin, Texas - Id Software
Montréal, Quebec - Bethesda Games Studio Montréal
Rockville, Maryland - Bethesda Softworks
Irvine, California - Obsidian Entertainment

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

SICK OF THIS CRAP? INTERESTED IN BEING RADICALIZED RATHER THAN BEING LED TO DESPAIR? We gotchu. 💪 Sign up for free, virtual organizing seminars w/ @codecwa.bsky.social: code-cwa.org/upcoming-tra... In the US or Canada? Join United Videogame Workers: uvw-cwa.org/membership

uvw-cwa.org

JOIN OUR UNION

DuesDues are calculated on a sliding scale based on 1% of your income, starting at a minimum of $15USD/17.30CAD.We welcome community supporters as non-voting members at the minimum dues rate. The full...

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

One way you can show Microsoft your concern is here through the XBOX Player Voice feedback platform: feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/ide...

Yesterday’s layoffs at Bethesda Games Studios were not a cut of “14 layers of management”. We lost dozens of programmers, artists, designers and testers. Many of whom worked at BGS for decades.

If Bethesda fans are worried this will harm the quality of our future games, like TES VI, let Microsoft know!

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

Microsoft has eliminated an initial wave of 1,600 jobs across its Xbox division, including hundreds of union video game workers represented by CWA. Our union will take all necessary legal and contractual action to defend our members and their rights. cwa-union.org/news/release...

cwa-union.org

Union Video Game Workers Fight for Rights Amidst Xbox Layoffs

"When Microsoft decides to treat the workers who built Xbox as expendable, it should know who they’re dealing with. This is not just a fight with the thousands of workers across Xbox; it’s a fight wit...

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Aftermath @aftermath.site · 03/07/2026

With layoffs looming, Microsoft unions plan to battle to the bitter end: "It's a fight for dignity and respect" aftermath.site/microsoft-xbox...

Zenimax QA workers protesting outside the studio's Rockville, Maryland office following last year's layoffs (Zenimax Workers United - CWA)

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Proud to announce our HARDSHIP FUND: uvw-cwa.org/hardship-fun... If you've been recently laid off and need support, we got you.

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Game companies will spend thousands and thousands of dollars on union busting firms just to lose. Incredible.

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United Wizards of the Coast - CWA @uwotc-official.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Today is a momentous day for the workers of Arena! After months of planning, waiting and organizing, our dream is finally a reality; the votes have been counted, and our union of UWOTC-CWA has been officially elected. From this day forward, we have a union!

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emilio g @emiliog.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

how about the dapper @hays.fyi, showing us game devs that class & comfort aren't exclusive. the Hilton Costa Mesa's atrium is nicely bright and open. it's also a touch... SoCal hyperreal? like you can't have *too* large of a space without some palm trees. #photography

Chris Hays, a white man with round red-framed glasses and a salt-and-pepper mustache, smiles at the camera. he's standing outside a hotel's windows with plants nearby; he's wearing a white fedora with brown band and small feathers, a beige linen (or rough silk?) blazer, a terracotta knit button-up shirt, light linen slacks, brown square-pointed loafers, and a white cloth shoulder bag.

looking from halfway up a tall, bright hotel atrium. there are wooden slat overhangs covering several areas and glass pod elevator rises on the right. in the middle is a palm tree.

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United Wizards of the Coast - CWA @uwotc-official.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Myth: The union won’t let you talk directly to management This is a mischaracterization of ‘Weingarten Rights.’ In any meeting that could result in disciplinary action (aka an “investigatory interview”) an employee may ask for a union representative to be present.

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Game Workers Conference @gameworkerscon.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who tuned into our first ever Game Workers Conference! Onto next year! Conference streams are still freely available Day 1: www.youtube.com/live/CFF97Oj... Day 2: www.youtube.com/live/3e1yOhV... And please fill out our feedback form: gameworkersconference.org/feedback-form

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

From @gameworkerscon.bsky.social: DOWN WITH "FUCK YOU, I GOT MINE" BRING BACK GIVING A SHIT ✊✊✊

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

And we've reached 5,000 followers! A big day for news. Did you know that there are over 5,000 unionized gamedevs with CWA in North America, too? Something tells us we're just getting started on both fronts. Thanks for coming along with us for the journey, and don't hesitate to reach out 💪

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Every day there are new reports of ICE detaining and targeting our communities. Video game devs and the workers who keep our workplaces running are not safe from this. That’s why we’ve launched WE DON'T PLAY WITH ICE, a campaign demanding companies commit to becoming 4th Amendment Workplaces.

actionnetwork.org

We Don't Play with ICE: Pledge to be a 4th Amendment Workplace

Many of us game workers -- as well as the building grounds, maintenance, and kitchen staff who care for the places in which we work -- are visa-holders and immigrants. In the current climate, we are v...

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Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 10/03/2026

After working in the games industry for almost 16 years this year will finally be my first GDC. I hope to see a lot of familiar faces this week!

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Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 27/01/2026

With all the terrible things happening recently one thing I've been very grateful to see is the solidarity of unions. For the first time in my life I feel like there has been real push back and the front of that has had union support. We can make a difference together!

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AMR - Alexis Mercedes Rinck @alexis4seattle.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Enough is enough, how many of our neighbors and friends are being disappeared, brutalized, and killed on the streets? This ongoing terror campaign must end. Abolish ICE.

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

if you hate unmediated AI use at your workplace without worker input, if your boss is speaking over you & for you, consider unionizing. shop and industry unions are bargaining and ratifying real, material AI protections RIGHT NOW.

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Nathan Grayson @nathangrayson.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

doom creator id software just became the latest microsoft studio to unionize. though the neutrality agreement that has allowed CWA to organize so many studios recently lapsed, id devs told me that only applies to activision blizzard for now aftermath.site/id-software-union-doom-microsoft-cwa

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Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 12/12/2025

I'm so proud to announce that we've voted to unionize at id Software!

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Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 12/12/2025

Huge props to the entire team that put in the extra effort to help make The Dark Ages accessible to more players.

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Your City @yourcityseattle.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

After much deliberation and a grueling interview process, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve accepted a new job and will not need any financial support from my parents to cover the high costs of childcare going forward. #AmericanDream #ThisIsYourCity

an image of Katie Wilson standing in a button-up shirt and slacks riding the bus in the morning while holding on onto a rail

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The ORCA Card @theorcacard.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Happy Halloween, ORCA pod 👻 🎃 🕸️ Who should Boop go trick or treating as tonight? Let us know in the replies! Labu-Boop 💙 Elpha-Boop 🧹 K-Boop Demon Hunter 🎤

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Your City @yourcityseattle.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

I address the first scandal of my political life—Momgate.

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CODE-CWA @codecwa.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Today, nearly 400 workers with Blizzard's Platform & Technology department have formed a union with @cwaunion.bsky.social! “We are forming a union to hold leadership accountable and to ensure that we can focus on building amazing experiences for the gaming community.” 💪

cwa-union.org

Activision Blizzard’s Platform and Technology Workers Form Union with Communications Workers of America

Today, nearly 400 video game workers within Blizzard’s Platform & Technology department have voted strongly in favor of union representation with CWA.

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Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck @councilmember-amr.seattle.gov · 03/10/2025

Thank you @theurbanist.org @seattletru.bsky.social @sngreenways.bsky.social @transpochoices.bsky.social and every volunteer and advocate fighting for better mobility, connection, and safety on our streets. This is a shared win and something to celebrate.

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Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck @councilmember-amr.seattle.gov · 01/10/2025

I was just as shocked with the news about the route 2 bus only lane as you. We are working on it. We need to prioritize pedestrian safety and not go backwards on our transit investments.

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Sena Bryer @senabryer.com · 17/09/2025

I've been shown evidence that Asmongold, Grummz, Llamatodd, et al, are attempting to have my account (along with a number of others) here taken down because of current political events. I have purposefully said nothing in regards to it. If my account is taken down, it is for being a trans woman.

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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

As recent waves of layoffs impact our fellow workers and union members, we see again and again how little the word of your boss means when it is not backed up by a union contract or challenged with collective action.

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Erica C. Barnett @ericacbarnett.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

I encourage people to amplify this. SPD's refusal to answer basic media questions, and their policy of effectively denying all records requests, is outrageous.

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AMR - Alexis Mercedes Rinck @alexis4seattle.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Hot Rat Summer is eternal.

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Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck @councilmember-amr.seattle.gov · 16/07/2025

Tomorrow afternoon Councilmember Hollingsworth and I will be restoring “Hot Rat Summer” in Cal Anderson Park. This mosaic was wrongfully painted over and we are going to fix it.

Mosaic of a patron saint rat with a sun behind it and a little heart. Below it states “Hot Rat Summer”

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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

We're OneBGS, the unionized workers behind Fallout ⚛️, The Elder Scrolls 🐉 & Starfield 🥪! We're currently negotiating our first contract with Microsoft. We'll need your support to protect and strengthen our studio and to continue working on the games we love. Follow, share and stay tuned!

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Chris Hays @hays.fyi · 04/07/2025

Between my country diving straight into the depths of fascism and capitalism destroying my industry I love so much it has been very difficult to have any positivity lately. Things are not okay. Now more than ever people need to be coming together and organizing.

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