Motion capture studio under 2K Games decides in favor of unionization

Employees at 2K Games' motion capture facility in California have cast a successful vote to unionize.

After news surfaced last month, the National Labor Relations Board directed the election, leading to a decision of 15 in favor and 6 opposed last Friday.

The newly formed 2K Mocap Union will be part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which stated through an announcement that this marks the first time a motion capture studio in the gaming industry has unionized.

Located in Petaluma, California, the 2K Motion Capture Studio has been involved in key projects for Take-Two franchises, including NBA 2K, WWE 2K, and BioShock.

With this unionization, the employees will begin discussing contract terms with 2K management, focusing on securing better job stability, equitable pay, and enhanced work conditions.

"Today, it's clear that our studio members aspire for the best not only for themselves but also for their colleagues, future workers, and the studio as a whole," said 2K motion capture animator Matthew Peterson. "This campaign faced its hurdles, yet it's uplifting that care for one another was the driving force behind this movement.

"I am eager to enter negotiations with Take-Two with good faith, and I hope other industry workers will be motivated to organize and acquire necessary protections to not just survive, but thrive."

Matthew D. Loeb, IATSE International president, remarked: "This triumph extends beyond a single studio; it impacts the future of employment within the video game sector.

"2K MoCap workers have demonstrated what many in entertainment already understand—that collective action is critical for achieving workplace fairness, equity, and respect. Their bravery will serve as inspiration for others in the field to follow. This result also exemplifies the power of exercising the right to organize, a right we will persist in defending and expanding."