Empowering Developers: A New Era of Workplace Advocacy
Heart Machine's Landmark Decision on Union Recognition
The indie video game studio, celebrated for titles such as Solar Ash (2021) and Hyper Light Drifter (2016), has formally acknowledged a comprehensive union. This union will represent all non-managerial personnel within the company, a development announced by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This recognition came after a majority of the studio's employees expressed a desire to affiliate with the CWA.
Composition of the Bargaining Unit and Union Affiliation
The newly formed bargaining unit comprises thirteen employees, encompassing a diverse range of roles including animators, designers, gameplay engineers, environmental artists, and a dedicated gameplay tools engineer. Heart Machine, based in Los Angeles, will see its union operate under the purview of CWA Local 9003, which is situated in Burbank.
Employee Perspectives on the Unionization Effort
Steph Aligbe, a gameplay tools engineer, articulated the motivation behind the organizing efforts. Aligbe emphasized observing numerous colleagues across the industry championing their craft and realizing the necessity of protecting this work, particularly in the current climate. The union expresses pride in Heart Machine's voluntary recognition, seeing it as an affirmation of the studio's commitment to progressive labor practices, and anticipates negotiating a foundational contract that will safeguard their workplace environment.
Recent Challenges and Industry Trends Driving Unionization
This unionization initiative at Heart Machine unfolds in the wake of significant challenges. The studio reportedly implemented layoffs in 2025, coinciding with the cessation of development for its early-access game, Hyper Light Breaker. Furthermore, reports from The Verge in 2025 indicated Heart Machine's exploration of Patreon as a funding avenue, reflecting broader financial difficulties confronting the gaming sector. The CWA continues to expand its organizing successes, having previously established unions at prominent entities like Blizzard Entertainment, id Software (known for Doom), and the teams behind the popular Diablo franchise.
