82 percent of US-based game developers support unionization

The vast majority of game developers plying their trade in the United States are in favor of unionization.

That's according to data from the 2026 State of the Game Industry (SOTI) survey, which found that 82 percent of respondents situated in the U.S. support the unionization of game industry workers.

The latest SOTI report—an annual survey conducted by GDC Festival of Gaming based on responses from over 2,300 industry professionals—found that only 5 percent of developers in the U.S. were outright opposed to unionization.

Meanwhile, 13 percent of respondents were unsure whether they support unionization.

Support for unionization was higher among workers earning less than $200,000 per year and those who had been laid off sometimes in the past two years. People under the age of 45 also expressed more support than their older counterparts.

By contrast, respondents in leadership roles (company owners and executives) weren't quite as convinced. Although 58 percent said they support unionization, 18 percent said they were opposed, and 24 percent were unsure about the prospect of collective organization.

Related:Ubisoft union representatives call for resignation of CEO Yves Guillemot

While support for unionization was generally widespread, only 12 percent of respondents said they are currently part of a union.

That figure includes members of both industry-wide unions such as UVW-CWA (10 percent) and company unions (2 percent). That number might soon change, however, with 62 percent of respondents explaining they are interested in joining a union.

Game Developer and GDC Festival of Gaming are sibling companies under Informa Festivals.