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The Communication Workers of America (CWA) has criticised Sony for closing Firewalk Studios and Neon Koi.
As reported by Game Developer, the CWA said that the recent layoffs highlight the need for video game workers to seek the protection of “collective bargaining.”
“Collective bargaining not only allows workers a seat at the table to bargain for fair compensation, but also a voice on the job to have a say over how workers will be impacted by job cuts,” read a statement.
Addressing studio closures
The union called out the closures of two PlayStation Studios as “devastating,” arguing that insulated video game CEOs are jeopardising job stability for workers.
The CWA went on to claim that Sony’s decision to close the mobile studio Neon Koi reflects a focus on maintaining its monopoly in the industry and it plans to communicate these concerns to regulators and policymakers.
“Sony’s decision to dissolve studios outside their walled-garden of PlayStation-exclusive content, rather than making games that have to compete in the highly diverse and competitive mobile game market, should be a cautionary warning sign of Sony’s interests in furthering their monopoly position in the video game industry,” read a statement.
“CWA plans to raise the anti-competitive impacts of Sony’s increasing monopoly and monopsony power with the appropriate antitrust regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders.”