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Labor in video games

 Subject
Subject Source: Local sources

Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:

Game Workers Unite ephemera collection

 Collection
Identifier: EPHEMERA-GWU
Abstract Game Workers Unite (GWU) was one of the first labor advocacy groups for the video game industry. The organization, which was founded in 2018, promoted awareness of labor rights and the benefits of unionization. One of GWU's most visible forms of advocacy was distributing zines at video game industry events between 2018 and 2020. The international GWU parent organization appears to have disbanded in 2020 amid ...
Dates: Publication: 2018–2020

Game Workers Unite, Game Developers Conference 2018 zine, March 2018

 Item — Location Zines: Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-VIDMAGIC; Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-SAVEPOINT; Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-IJAG
Identifier: EPHEMERA-GWU.GDC2018
Abstract

This Game Workers Unite zine was designed for the 2018 Game Developers Conference, shortly after the organization's public debut. This issue, featuring Sonic the Hedgehog on the cover, is themed to look like an issue of Nintendo Power magazine, including tongue-in-cheek references to a "free strategy guide inside." (The reference to "Issue 68" on the cover is part of the joke; it does not indicate an actual issue number.)

Dates: Publication: March 2018

Game Workers Unite, Game Developers Conference 2019 zine, Isabelle variant, March 2019

 Item
Identifier: EPHEMERA-GWU-GDC2019.2
Abstract

This Game Workers Unite zine was designed for the 2019 Game Developers Conference. Four variant covers were produced for this issue:

  • Waluigi holding a rose, a symbol of Democratic Socialism
  • Isabelle from Animal Crossing leading a march
  • A picket line of game industry professionals
  • A computer-generated egg character by artist mushbuh
A revised edition of this zine was produced in 2020 (see "Game Workers Unite zine, March 2020").

Dates: Publication: March 2019

Game Workers Unite, Game Developers Conference 2019 zine, mushbuh variant, March 2019

 Item
Identifier: EPHEMERA-GWU-GDC2019.4
Abstract

This Game Workers Unite zine was designed for the 2019 Game Developers Conference. Four variant covers were produced for this issue:

  • Waluigi holding a rose, a symbol of Democratic Socialism
  • Isabelle from Animal Crossing leading a march
  • A picket line of game industry professionals
  • A computer-generated egg character by artist mushbuh
A revised edition of this zine was produced in 2020 (see "Game Workers Unite zine, March 2020").

Dates: Publication: March 2019

Game Workers Unite, Game Developers Conference 2019 zine, "Unionize!" variant, March 2019

 Item
Identifier: EPHEMERA-GWU-GDC2019.3
Abstract

This Game Workers Unite zine was designed for the 2019 Game Developers Conference. Four variant covers were produced for this issue:

  • Waluigi holding a rose, a symbol of Democratic Socialism
  • Isabelle from Animal Crossing leading a march
  • A picket line of game industry professionals
  • A computer-generated egg character by artist mushbuh
A revised edition of this zine was produced in 2020 (see "Game Workers Unite zine, March 2020").

Dates: Publication: March 2019

Game Workers Unite, Game Developers Conference 2019 zine, Waluigi variant, March 2019

 Item — Location Zines: Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-VIDMAGIC; Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-SAVEPOINT; Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-IJAG
Identifier: EPHEMERA-GWU.GDC2019.1
Abstract

This Game Workers Unite zine was designed for the 2019 Game Developers Conference. Four variant covers were produced for this issue:

  • Waluigi holding a rose, a symbol of Democratic Socialism
  • Isabelle from Animal Crossing leading a march
  • A picket line of game industry professionals
  • A computer-generated egg character by artist mushbuh
A revised edition of this zine was produced in 2020 (see "Game Workers Unite zine, March 2020").

Dates: Publication: March 2019

Game Workers Unite "HD Remaster" zine, March 2020

 Item
Identifier: EPHEMERA-GWU.2020
Abstract

This Game Workers Unite zine distributed in March 2020. Although it is not themed to a particular event, it was likely meant to be distributed at the canceled 2020 Game Developers Conference. The content is largely adapted from the 2019 edition of GWU's zine.

Dates: Publication: March 2020

Game Workers Unite stickers, est. 2018

 Collection — Location Zines: Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-VIDMAGIC; Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-SAVEPOINT; Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-IJAG
Identifier: EPHEMERA-GWU.STICKERS
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

This is a collection of the zines and ephemera produced by Game Workers Unite between 2018–2020. These zines were meant to be handed out at video game industry trade events, specifically at the Game Developers Conference. The zines contain information about the benefits of unionization in the video game industry, as well as advice about how to organize and how to identify union-busting tactics.

Dates: Publication: est. 2018

Game Workers Unite trifold pamphlet, est. 2018

 Item — Location Zines: Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-VIDMAGIC; Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-SAVEPOINT; Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-IJAG
Identifier: EPHEMERA-GWU.TRIFOLD
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

This is a collection of the zines and ephemera produced by Game Workers Unite between 2018–2020. These zines were meant to be handed out at video game industry trade events, specifically at the Game Developers Conference. The zines contain information about the benefits of unionization in the video game industry, as well as advice about how to organize and how to identify union-busting tactics.

Dates: Publication: est. 2018

Game Workers Unite zine, est. 2018

 Item — Location Zines: Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-VIDMAGIC; Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-SAVEPOINT; Series EPHEMERA-ZINES-IJAG
Identifier: EPHEMERA-GWU.2018
Abstract

This zine was likely printed and distributed around the time of the organization's public debut in 2018.

Dates: Publication: est. 2018