Update (November 27th): In light of the recent unionization news, 2K Games has acknowledged the choice made by their motion capture team based in California.
The company issued a statement following an election held by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on November 22, 2024. This election allowed qualified employees from the 2K Petaluma Mocap Studio to cast their votes on whether to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union. The statement read, “The NLRB has completed the vote count, and the preliminary results show that a majority of employees have opted to unionize with IATSE. We respect our team members’ decision and are grateful to everyone who took part in the election. Our focus remains steadfast on delivering top-notch, engaging, and immersive experiences to gamers around the world.”
Original story (November 25th): Exciting developments at 2K Games’ motion-capture studio in California as the employees have chosen to form a union.
According to an announcement made on the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) website, the vote held on Friday, November 22, saw 15 workers in favor of unionizing and six against, under the watchful eye of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Matthew Peterson, a mocap animator at 2K, shared, “It’s clear today that the studio’s staff genuinely care not just for their own interests, but for their colleagues, future workers, and the studio’s collective well-being.” He added, “This campaign hasn’t been easy, yet it’s heartening to see empathy as the driving force. I’m eager to negotiate sincerely with Take-Two and hope that our actions will inspire others in the industry to organize and secure the protections needed to not only survive but flourish.”
Matthew Loeb, IATSE International President, commented on the success, saying, “This isn’t just a win for one studio; it’s a landmark for the video game industry’s future workforce. 2K MoCap workers have exemplified what many in entertainment have long realized — that unity is the pathway to fairness, equality, and respect at work. Their bravery will no doubt encourage others to embark on a similar path. This outcome illustrates the power of organized labor to achieve substantial results, and we remain committed to advocating for workers’ rights to organize.”
The initiative to unionize at 2K’s California mocap studio began in October.
