Double Fine developers petition to form union at Microsoft

Workers at the Microsoft-owned game studio Double Fine filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board on May 7 to form a union. The group of 42 regular and part-time employees is seeking both an election and voluntary recognition from the company. The effort is backed by the Communications Workers of America.

The announcement came shortly after the release of the studio's latest game, Kiln, which launched on Game Pass. Double Fine is known for titles such as Psychonauts and was acquired by Microsoft in 2018. The petition marks the first union drive at a standalone Xbox studio under new CEO Asha Sharma.

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Xbox executives announce return to Xbox branding and reevaluation of game exclusivity in a company meeting.
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Xbox drops Microsoft Gaming name and reevaluates exclusivity

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Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty announced the gaming division is reverting from 'Microsoft Gaming' to simply 'Xbox.' In a memo shared on Xbox Wire following an all-hands meeting, they addressed player frustrations and pledged to reevaluate the approach to game exclusivity. The move signals a renewed focus on console as the foundation amid broader platform ambitions.

Employees at Double Fine Productions have voted to form a union with the Communications Workers of America. The 42 full- and part-time workers follow similar unionization efforts at other Microsoft studios.

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Xbox is preparing to shut down Compulsion Games and is in talks to close Double Fine and Ninja Theory as well. Studio leaders are negotiating with Microsoft over the studios' futures. Heavy job losses are expected even if some studios go independent.

Shawn Layden, the former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment America, has publicly commented on recent moves by Xbox. In LinkedIn posts, he described the changes as reflecting a misunderstanding of the industry.

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An employment tribunal has ruled against Rockstar Games' request to remove blacklisting claims from an upcoming trial over alleged union busting at its Grand Theft Auto 6 studio. The decision allows all of the union's allegations to proceed.

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has announced a major reorganization of the gaming division's leadership. The changes promote longtime Xbox veterans and bring in new executives with expertise in AI, design, and growth. Sharma aims to build capabilities for a more affordable, personal, and open platform.

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The independent French union STJV is urging all video game workers to strike on June 25 in response to widespread layoffs and alleged mistreatment by studio management.

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