Heart Machine, Hyper Light Drifter Studio, Voluntarily Recognizes Union

Indie game developer Heart Machine has taken a significant step by voluntarily recognizing a union formed by its employees. This union is associated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which announced the formation on its website. The union represents a bargaining unit of 13 employees at the studio known for developing the popular title, Hyper Light Drifter.

Details of the Union Formation

The staff’s journey toward unionization began in February when they expressed their intentions to management. They subsequently requested voluntary recognition from Heart Machine. Steph Aligbe, a gameplay tools engineer and member of CWA Local 9003, shared insights into the motivation behind their decision. She stated, “I decided to get involved in organising my studio because I’ve seen so many peers in the industry stand up to protect the craft we all care so deeply about.”

Aligbe emphasized the importance of protecting their work, especially in a competitive media landscape. “Our union is proud that our studio chose to voluntarily recognise our union and live up to its high-road labour values,” she added. This recognition is seen as a commitment to safeguarding their workplace and fostering a collaborative environment.

Industry Context and Challenges

Heart Machine has experienced significant challenges in recent years. The studio implemented three rounds of layoffs, with a notable portion of the workforce affected in February 2024. Just 12 days before the launch of their title, Possessor(s), another wave of layoffs occurred.

These circumstances highlight the broader trends within the gaming industry, where opportunities to create innovative games are increasingly scarce. Aligbe noted, “The only way to make something that really stands out is when a team is able to pour their time, care, and creativity into it together.”

Significance of the Union Recognition

• Heart Machine’s recognition of the union marks an important shift in labor relations within the gaming industry.
• The CWA has previously supported nearly 4,000 employees from major studios like Microsoft, Id Software, Bethesda, and Blizzard in their unionization efforts.
• This unionization trend demonstrates a growing willingness among game developers to advocate for their rights and improve working conditions.

As Heart Machine moves forward, both the studio and its newly formed union will collaborate to draft a contract focused on employee rights and workplace standards, signaling a new chapter for developers in the gaming sector.