ZA/UM's UK Staff Forms Union for Worker Protection
Employees at the UK branch of ZA/UM, the acclaimed studio known for the BAFTA-winning RPG Disco Elysium, have officially formed a union. Operating as the ZA/UM Workers' Alliance, this new organization has received support from the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), marking a significant step for staff amidst ongoing turbulence within the company.
This move comes after a series of controversial events that have plagued ZA/UM since the initial success of Disco Elysium. The studio's management has faced criticism for dismissing the original creators of the game's universe. Furthermore, ZA/UM underwent extensive layoffs early last year, impacting approximately a quarter of its workforce. Many of these affected employees were working on projects such as a planned Disco Elysium sequel and the spin-off title, Locust City – An Elysium Story, both of which were ultimately canceled.
The primary goal of the newly established union is to safeguard the rights of developers and other staff members, ensuring their interests are protected in any future disputes with management. By coming together, employees aim to foster a more stable and fair working environment.
Spring McParlin-Jones, the Chair of the Game Workers Union, commented on the significance of this development:
“Anyone working in this industry knows that it has been stacked against us for too long. Now, workers at ZA/UM are proving that by uniting in a union, we can take back power and change our workplaces for the better. We need to build an industry where workers can create engaging games without sacrificing their social life, mental health, or financial stability. I hope the achievements of ZA/UM workers will inspire other representatives of the gaming industry to join us in the fight for a fairer and more sustainable sector.”
Despite the internal changes, ZA/UM is currently developing a new spy role-playing game titled ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies. This project is slated for release next year on PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5.
The formation of the ZA/UM Workers' Alliance highlights a growing trend within the video game industry, where developers are increasingly seeking collective action to address workplace concerns. For players, this movement could ultimately lead to more stable development cycles and, hopefully, a continued focus on innovative and high-quality games from studios like ZA/UM, as a healthier work environment often translates to better creative output.
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