Staff at 2K Games' motion capture studio in California have filed to unionise. 

In a post on its website, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada (IATSE) union revealed that 21 members of staff had requested voluntary recognition as a bargaining unit. Parent company Take-Two apparently declined to acknowledge the union so these employees took to filing with the federal government. 

“The opportunity to work at 2K Mocap has truly been a dream come true for my coworkers and me," stage technician Connor Bredbeck said. 

"It is our love for the work we do that has not only allowed us to organize but is also the reason we are organizing in the first place. The inequities we are experiencing are endemic to the gaming industry and detract from the work we are all so passionate about. The decision to form a union was a necessary step for our studio and hopefully for others as well.”

IATSE's international VP Michael Miller added: “These dedicated individuals are essential to the success of the world-class video games their labor helps create, and their contributions and technical skills overlap significantly with crafts IATSE already represents. IATSE stands firmly with the 2K MoCap workers and Video Game workers in general in their pursuit of the same rights and protections union members have around the entertainment industry. We look forward to the election and eventually good faith negotiations with Take-Two Interactive to honour their workers’ voices and engage in good faith negotiations.”

Update: 25/10 - 2K Games has responded to the news that its Californian mocap studio is filing to unionise. 

“At 2K, our people are at the centre of everything we do and the creative force behind the games we make," a spokesperson said.

"That is why we strive to build a work environment that is both supportive of their needs and presents opportunities for growth. We understand the IATSE union is seeking to represent certain employees at our motion capture studio in Petaluma, California. We fully respect the right of those employees to choose through informed voting whether they decide to be represented by IATSE. We know the needs of our workforce are diverse, and that our industry faces new challenges as we continue to evolve and grow. We feel that we are best served addressing these challenges and changing needs together through our existing feedback channels rather than through a union. That said, we understand perspectives may vary on this issue, and, in keeping with our values, we welcome sharing opinions and engaging in the dialogue that the next several weeks may bring."