On February 13, 2025, French video game developers made history by staging their first-ever sector-wide strike, marking a critical moment of collective action in the digital entertainment industry. The movement, organized by the STJV union, saw demonstrations spread across multiple French cities, including Paris, Bordeaux, and Rennes, with the protest even extending internationally to a Ubisoft studio in Barcelona, Spain.
The strike emerged against a backdrop of significant industry turbulence, with the video game sector experiencing a dramatic shift from the pandemic-era growth to a challenging economic landscape. Global layoffs in 2024 exceeded 14,000, a number nearly equivalent to the entire French game development workforce of 12,000 to 15,000 professionals. This stark reality has pushed workers to demand fundamental changes in their working environment.
Key demands of the strike included halting ongoing layoffs, improving working conditions, and establishing greater transparency in business operations. Workers are pushing back against what they perceive as mismanagement and a transformation of their industry from a creative craft to a more ruthless corporate model. Specific companies like Ubisoft, with 18,000 global employees, and Don't Nod, planning to reduce its workforce, have become focal points of these tensions.
At the heart of the protest was a sense of betrayal regarding work-from-home arrangements. Union representatives, particularly from the STJV, argued that the mandatory return to office broke previous promises and disrupted employees' carefully arranged work-life balance. Clement Montigny, a union spokesperson, emphasized that the directive fundamentally challenged how workers organize their personal and professional lives.
Strikers outside Ubisoft's Paris headquarters told AFP they were becoming disillusioned and felt the company was not listening. “How long will it be before they start laying off workers and downgrading their ambitions,” asked Lola, a 30-year-old game designer, who described the atmosphere as “gloomy.”
Beyond economic concerns, the strike also aims to shed light on workplace culture, with unions highlighting anonymous testimonies documenting instances of sexism and harsh treatment within game development companies. The movement represents workers “waking up with a hangover,” realizing they have become labourers in an increasingly standardized industry, much like workers in other sectors.
Economists and industry observers view this strike as a significant awakening, suggesting that game industry workers are increasingly recognizing their status as labourers in a rapidly changing economic landscape. The movement represents a critical moment of collective action, challenging the traditional narrative of the game development industry and demanding more equitable and transparent working conditions.
In October 2024, more than 700 Ubisoft employees in France engaged in a three-day work stoppage in opposition to the office return mandate. More recently, workers at Ubisoft Milan joined in solidarity with the French cohort by organizing a one-day strike, while broader industry trends, show growing unionization efforts in gaming studios worldwide, including incremental moves in Ubisoft’s North American offices.
Spain’s Workers’ Commissions (CCOO) and General Union of Workers (UGT) filed a lawsuit in a Barcelona labour court on October 7, 2024, alleging Ubisoft’s RTO policy violates collective bargaining agreements and worker rights. The mandate requires employees to work onsite four days a week, which unions argue disregards hybrid arrangements established post-pandemic.
The legal action followed a two-day strike on October 3–4, during which over 80% of the studio’s 300+ employees halted production on unannounced projects. Workers contend the policy disrupts work-life balance, disproportionately affecting caregivers and those with lengthy commutes, and could force resignations.
A 2024 Iberian Games survey found that 70% of Spanish game developers prioritize remote work, with industry advocates warning rigid policies could deter skilled workers. The conflict also casted a spotlight on Spain’s ambitions to become Europe’s third-largest gaming hub by 2030.
Ubisoft has defended the mandate as essential for “collaboration and creative innovation,” citing challenges in managing hybrid workflows. It also stated its commitment to fair labour practices but has resisted formal negotiations with unions, opting instead for internal consultations. Critics argue this approach sidesteps meaningful worker representation, especially as Ubisoft has faced scrutiny for hiring non-union contractors during disputes.
“Ubisoft’s mandate isn’t just about office chairs—it’s about respecting workers who built this industry,” said María López, a UGT spokesperson. “Spain’s success hinges on fair treatment.” Ubisoft Barcelona, in a public statement, reiterated its commitment to dialogue but emphasized that “onsite collaboration is vital for delivering high-quality experiences.”
The dispute arrived at a pivotal moment for Spain’s video game industry, now valued at €1.2 billion and employing over 12,000 professionals. While studios like Tequila Works (Rime) and MercurySteam (Metroid Dread) have elevated Spain’s global profile, labour tensions threaten its appeal to talent.
The government recently allocated €50 million to support indie developers and infrastructure, aiming to capitalize on the success of narrative-driven titles like Blasphemous and Gris, which blend local folklore with global appeal. Yet, worker advocates argue, that sustainable growth requires balancing creative innovation with equitable labour practices.
But Ubisoft faces considerable financial challenges. The company's stock price had plummeted by over 40% in 2024, with recent game releases like “Star Wars Outlaws” and “Skull and Bones” failing to meet expectations. The delayed release of the next “Assassin's Creed” franchise instalment further compounded investor concerns, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and frustration among employees.
