The organization called the recently publishe𝔉d a for players interested in💙 supporting the labor movement. The document was released to the public by Robin Trach on January 30, 2022. Trach is a game worker and labor organizer based in Los Angeles.
The organization is described as a group of people “dedicated to advocating for workers' rights in the games industry.” They note that “we're not a union, but we're working towards building one. Southern California is notable for the number of game companies it hosts. Workers here are a powerful force. Together we can achieve better working conditions, recognition, and mutual support.”
The document in question, A Pl💝ayer’s Gu♈ide to Supporting the Labor Movement in Games, contains a wealth of information about the “dos and don’ts of fan support for progressive movements in the industry.”
“So, you’re a video game player! You enjoy titles from Activision-Blizzard, ArenaNet, Riot, or whichever other company is in the awful-working-conditions spotlight of the day,” Trach says. “Maybe it’s excessive overtime, maybe it’s starvation wages for quality assurance testers, or maybe it’s a culture of discrimination, harassmenꦬt, and even assault. You see the people who make your games hurting and you want to help.”
The document describes the “many ways that players and fans can contribute to the labor movement in games,” but also notes the existence of “well-intentioned behaviors that can hurt the very people you’re trying to help.” The guide points out that &💧ldquo;knowing the difference is crucial.”
Trach describes the “golden rule” of showing🌱 support for game workers. “When you want to help someone but you don’t know how, the most effective thing you can do is let them tell you,” she says. Trach points out that “if a specific request is𓆏 made of fans, gamers, and players, do that thing!” This would be referred to as a show of solidarity.
The labor organizer🍷 offers a variety of different social media tips. “When there are specific demands, draw attention to those in your posts on social media and in community spaces,” Trach says. “As a supporter, you can help by signal boosting offi🐬cial communications from worker organizers. Retweet their announcements and direct your peers to the movement’s official social media accounts. It also helps to amplify individual workers who speak out about their experiences!”
Trach wants you to share as much positive energy as possible with striking workers. &ldqu💖o;If the games that protesting workers make have been personally meaningful to you, tell them. If seeing workers put everything on the line fo༒r their peers inspires you, tell them. If their movement gives you hope as a marginalized person, tell them. You’ll probably make someone’s day and you might just be the difference that gives them the strength to see this through.” The equivalent here would be honking the horn of your car in front of a picket line to show support.
When it comes to the “don’ts” as opposed to the “dos,” Trach warns against &🗹ldquo;spreading misinformation” and “misunderstanding boycotts.” She point꧑s out that you should “make sure that information you share comes from a primary source.” The labor organizer also notes the “misconception that all labor actions come with consumer boycotts.”
Trach also warns against “intruding on personal conversations” and “fueling personal drama.” But a big issue that she points out is “harassing customer support.” She says that “filling the comments of company posts with pro-worker messages is a great way to add visibility to the cause,𝕴 but make sure you’re not writing anything that could ruin somebody𝔉’s day.” Customer service representatives are the people actually reading these messages — not managers.
When push comes to shove, the best way to get involved is to get in a group. Trach not🔴es that “if you’re a fan looking to make an impact, involving your community in supporting worker organizing efforts is a great way to heꦑlp. When one player raises their voice, the executives shrug. But when 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 1,000, or 10,000 customers speak up, the suits start to sweat a little.”
The games industry has only just begun to unionize. Workers have a long way to go, but players are perfectly able to help their cause. Being informed as to what you should and shouldn’t 🐽do in this regard is a matter of great importance.