The effort to unionize Rockstar Games' UK staff could encompass over 1,600 workers, marking a major step in gaming industry labor rights.
In another significant development for labor rights within the gaming industry, a large-scale unionization effort at Rockstar Games’ UK offices is gaining attention. The Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union claims that their move to organize could represent over 1,600 workers, encapsulating nearly all staff below senior management levels. This initiative aligns with the scheduled vote on union recognition, set to occur around the console launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 on November 19th.
This development is part of a broader movement within the industry to improve working conditions, as discussed in prior reports from outlets like Rock Paper Shotgun.
Soulframe’s Open Alpha Approaches
Digital Extremes’ fantasy RPG, Soulframe, is set to enter its open alpha phase on November 6th. This comes after two years of closed alpha, with the developers introducing significant changes. The most recent updates introduce a new “open prelude” and major modifications to the game’s mechanics and world structure, such as the addition of a Ubisoft-like region purging system.
However, as PCGamesN notes, there is some apprehension from the developers about how these changes will be received by players. Despite these adjustments, the open alpha represents a critical phase as the game expands access to a larger player base.
Updates in Gaming Compatibility and Releases
In technical updates, Valve has released a new version of Proton Experimental, which promises improved compatibility for Windows games on SteamOS/Linux. This includes fixes for titles like Helldivers 2 and BeamNG.drive, continuing efforts to make more games accessible to Linux gamers.
Meanwhile, the world of strategy gaming sees a new twist with Northgard Battlegrounds. Now available in Early Access, this game takes the established strategy formula in a new auto-battling direction, providing a fresh take for strategy enthusiasts.
Additionally, GOG’s Preservation Program continues to expand, with the addition of five more classic titles to their library, supporting the ongoing effort to keep vintage games alive for modern players.
