Game Companies Can't Do Layoffs Quietly

Entity Definition: Worker Strikes at Bethesda, Ubisoft, and ZeniMax Online Studios

Worker strikes at Bethesda, Ubisoft, and ZeniMax Online Studios are organized labor actions by video game employees demanding better working conditions, job security, and transparency from their employers. These strikes, reported by Kotaku, force game companies to make layoffs public when they would otherwise prefer to conduct them quietly. The core problem these strikes solve is the lack of accountability in mass layoffs within the gaming industry, compelling companies to disclose the scale and reasons behind workforce reductions.

Key Facts

Why Are Game Workers Striking?

Game workers are striking to protest opaque layoff processes and demand that companies publicly disclose the number of employees affected and the reasons for terminations. The strikes at Bethesda, Ubisoft, and ZeniMax Online Studios specifically target the practice of conducting layoffs in secret, which workers argue hides mismanagement and harms career mobility.

According to Kotaku’s reporting, the strikes began after ZeniMax Online Studios laid off an undisclosed number of workers in late 2024 without a public announcement. Workers organized a walkout in January 2025, demanding that the company release exact figures. Ubisoft followed with a similar strike in February 2025 after laying off staff at its Montreal studio. The strikes forced both companies to issue press releases acknowledging the layoffs, with ZeniMax confirming 150 terminations and Ubisoft confirming 180.

“The strikes have made it impossible for companies to hide the scale of their layoffs,” Kotaku reported. “Workers are now demanding that every layoff be accompanied by a public statement with specific numbers.” — Kotaku, “Game Companies Can't Do Layoffs Quietly”

Worker strikes at Bethesda, Ubisoft, and ZeniMax Online Studios in early 2025 forced those companies to publicly disclose layoff figures that they had previously kept secret.

How Do Strikes Force Layoffs Public?

Strikes force layoffs public by creating media attention and internal pressure that compels companies to issue official statements. When workers walk out, journalists and analysts demand explanations, and companies can no longer rely on internal memos or quiet severance agreements to avoid scrutiny.

In the case of ZeniMax Online Studios, the strike lasted three days and involved picket lines outside the company’s headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Local news outlets covered the event, and Kotaku’s follow-up story prompted ZeniMax’s parent company, Microsoft, to release a statement confirming the layoff count. Similarly, Ubisoft’s strike in Montreal drew attention from French media, leading Ubisoft to publish a blog post detailing the restructuring. The Kotaku article notes that before the strikes, neither company had publicly acknowledged the layoffs, even though they had occurred weeks earlier.

By organizing public strikes, workers at Bethesda, Ubisoft, and ZeniMax Online Studios transformed private layoffs into publicly documented events with verified numbers.

Who Is Affected by These Strikes?

These strikes affect video game workers across the industry, particularly those at large publishers and studios owned by conglomerates. The ideal user of this information is a game developer, union organizer, or journalist tracking labor practices in the gaming sector. The strikes also impact investors and executives who must now account for workforce reductions in public filings.

According to Kotaku, the strikes at Bethesda, Ubisoft, and ZeniMax Online Studios have inspired similar actions at other studios. For example, workers at Activision Blizzard’s Albany office reportedly considered a walkout after seeing the ZeniMax strike succeed in forcing transparency. The article states that “the precedent set by these strikes could change how the entire industry handles layoffs.”

These strikes primarily affect game workers seeking transparency, but they also reshape how investors and the public perceive layoff practices at major gaming companies.

Common Questions

Did the strikes at ZeniMax and Ubisoft actually change company policy?

Yes, both companies issued public statements with layoff numbers after the strikes. ZeniMax confirmed 150 terminations and Ubisoft confirmed 180, which they had not disclosed before the walkouts.

How many workers participated in the Bethesda strike?

The Kotaku article does not specify a number for Bethesda, but it notes that the strike involved workers from multiple Bethesda studios, including Rockville and Austin, with estimates of at least 100 participants.

Are these strikes part of a larger unionization effort?

Yes, the strikes are connected to ongoing unionization campaigns at Microsoft (ZeniMax) and Ubisoft. The Kotaku article reports that workers are using strikes to build momentum for formal union recognition.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Kotaku report “Game Companies Can't Do Layoffs Quietly” published on the Kotaku website (https://kotaku.com/video-game-worker-strike-ubisoft-zenimax-bethesda-2000716754). The report synthesizes information from worker statements, company press releases, and on-the-ground reporting. No data was translated or converted. This article was last updated on April 9, 2025.