Motion Capture Studio at 2K Votes to Unionize

The team at 2K Games’ motion-capture studio in California has taken a significant step by voting to unionize.

According to an announcement on the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) website, 15 workers supported the unionization, while six opposed it in a vote held on Friday, November 22nd. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was in charge of overseeing the election process.

Matthew Peterson, a mocap animator at 2K, expressed what this decision means for the team: “Today, it’s clear that the folks at this studio are striving not only for their own improved conditions but also for those of their colleagues, future workers, and the studio overall.”

He acknowledged the hurdles faced during the campaign but found inspiration in the empathy driving the movement. “I’m eager to negotiate sincerely with Take-Two and hope that this inspires others in our industry to organize, not just to secure essential protections but to truly thrive,” he added.

Matthew Loeb, president of IATSE International, emphasized the broader implications of this victory: “This win is about more than one studio; it’s a statement about the future of work in the video game industry.”

By unionizing, 2K MoCap workers have underscored a lesson known by many in entertainment: standing together is the best way to ensure fairness, equality, and respect at work. Their bold move will undoubtedly motivate others across the industry. Loeb also highlighted the power of organizing, noting, “This outcome shows what’s possible when workers unite, a right we will continue to uphold and expand.”

The initiative to unionize at 2K’s California mocap studio began in October.