Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Doom Workers Strike Against Microsoft

Amid claims of a healthy Xbox business, hundreds of unionized ZeniMax workers have gone on strike due to alleged insufficient bargaining progress by parent company Microsoft. The strike highlights concerns over remote work policies and the outsourcing of quality assurance roles. This action stems from the formation of the first video game studio union at Microsoft earlier this year, representing over 300 QA workers. The strike, occurring at various ZeniMax locations in Maryland and Texas, follows a history of job security concerns exacerbated by recent layoffs across the gaming industry. Despite these tensions, Xbox head Phil Spencer remains optimistic about the future of Microsoft's gaming endeavors, citing growth across cloud gaming and console usage.

The ZeniMax workers' strike is rooted in allegations of a lack of bargaining over remote work conditions and the unilateral outsourcing of quality assurance jobs by Microsoft, which has raised concerns about job security in a volatile gaming market.

ZeniMax Media is well-known for housing several major game studios like Bethesda, responsible for iconic franchises such as The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. The company became part of Microsoft's expansive portfolio following a $7.5 billion acquisition in 2020, making the workers' demands for job security and fair labor practices all the more significant amidst industry-wide challenges, including layoffs and declining sales in some sectors.