Update (November 27): In an unfolding development, 2K Games has officially acknowledged the recent decision coming from their California-based motion capture studio. They expressed their respect for the choice made by their team to unionize.
“On November 22, 2024, a significant event took place when the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) organized a confidential voting session,” the company detailed in a statement. This allowed eligible members from the 2K Petaluma Mocap Studio to decide on joining forces with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union.
The ballots have been tallied by the NLRB, and it turns out most of the employees who voted are in favor of unionizing under IATSE. “The decision of our team is one we deeply respect. We’re grateful for the engagement of everyone in this vote. As we progress, our commitment remains to provide high-caliber, engaging, and immersive experiences for our gaming audience worldwide.”
Original Story (November 25): The workforce at 2K Games’ motion capture facility in California has cast their votes and decided in favor of unionization.
Announced through a news post on the IATSE website, the union shared that out of 21 total votes, 15 were for the motion while six were against it, with the election conducted under the watchful eye of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Friday, November 22.
“Today’s vote showcases that our studio’s employees are dedicated to securing what they believe is best—not just for themselves, but for their colleagues, forthcoming generations of workers, and the studio as a collective,” remarked Matthew Peterson, an animator at 2K’s mocap studio.
“This journey wasn’t without its hurdles, yet the driving force remains the empathy we hold for each other. I’m eagerly anticipating productive negotiations with Take-Two and hope this inspires others in our field to organize, ensuring they receive the protections they need to not just make ends meet, but to flourish.”
Echoing this sentiment, IATSE International President Matthew Loeb expressed: “This victory transcends a single studio; it signals a change in the landscape of the video game industry’s workforce.”
“2K MoCap employees have now underscored what many in entertainment circles already understand—collective action secures fairness, equity, and workplace respect. Their bravery is a beacon for others in the industry. This success illustrates the power and necessity of workers exercising their right to organize, a right that we remain committed to defending and expanding.”
It’s worth mentioning that the unionization filing for 2K’s California mocap studio was initiated last October.
