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Or, alternatively, just don't work for companies that treat their employees like shit.

There are plenty of game dev companies where employees are treated well (I work for one of them) but "game company treats employees like human beings" is not an interesting enough headline, so you don't tend to hear about it.

But in spite of working for a really good studio right now, I recognize that many people are not (I've also worked with ones that were middling at best), and unionization is a great step towards getting better conditions, especially for artists and content people. Engineers tend to get the best treatment since toxic management know they are more expensive, harder to replace and have more opportunities across a variety of industries. Conversely, if you are a 3d artist (just as an example), there are only so many places you can work, and unfortunately you are often considered more disposable.

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> Or, alternatively, just don't work for companies that treat their employees like shit.

Hmm... interesting advice, I wonder why people getting treated like shit by their employers never thought of that.

I know that you are being sarcastic, but there is an honest answer - most people I have met in the industry who are treated like shit are either:

a) Too young or inexperienced or fearful of reprisal to understand how to advocate for themselves and others; and/or

b) Just unaware that better places to work do exist, and are convinced (much like the thread parent here) that "this is just how gamedev is"

Unfortunately because gamedev is a dream job for a lot of folks they are unwilling to rock the boat because they want to live their dream. That is why unions are a great opportunity for people like this, it gives them some agency to make a positive change.

> Too young or inexperienced or fearful of reprisal to understand how to advocate for themselves and others; and/or

Reprisal is real, especially for the young and inexperienced in places where employees are treated like shit.

> Just unaware that better places to work do exist, and are convinced (much like the thread parent here) that "this is just how gamedev is"

I find it hard to believe that you really think people getting treated like shit at work are "unaware that better places to work do exist". They are absolutely aware that better places to work exist, the problem is knowing which places those are, and then getting a job there.

The negative statements being made about gamedev in this thread are generalizations, of course there are some excellent gamedev studios out there, but on average you're going to do a lot more work for a lot less pay with a lot less respect and a lot more drama than pretty much anywhere else in the software industry.