2023 Gameworker Survey - Powered by RPG-IATSE

IATSE, the entertainment workers union, recognizes that games are among entertainment’s biggest money-makers.

The purpose of this survey is to inform you and the games community about what is truly important to the people who make the games millions around the world love to play.

Let’s team up together and get you and your coworkers the protections at work you deserve!

Sharing information about your pay benefits and working conditions is protected by the National Labor Relations Act.

All submissions will be anonymized and tallied with aggregated totals. However, collecting contact info is necessary to ensure the authenticity of all survey submissions. Results of this survey are to be released in August 2023.

First, a little about you:

Are you currently an IATSE Member?

Yes No

If so, which IATSE Local?

Do you prefer text, phone call, or email communications? (select all that apply) *

Text Phone Call Email

How many years have you worked in games? *

Second, a little about your most recent workplace:

What type of gaming do/did you work on at this company? *

AAA Games Indie Games Mobile Games Esports TTRPG Gambling / Gaming Other

What city and state is your employer located in? *

Are or were you a W-2 employee or 1099 Contractor? *

W-2 Employee 1099 Contractor Other/Not Sure

Did you relocate for this job, and if so, were you offered a relocation bonus?

How are/were you paid for this job? *

Annual Salary Hourly Weekly Lump Sum / Flat Fee Other

On average, how many hours per week do/did you work? *

What is/was your equivalent hourly rate of pay? *

Does/did your pay keep up with the rising cost of living?

Yes No Not Sure

Do/did you work on-site, hybrid, or fully-remote? *

On-site Fully Remote Hybrid Schedule

Do/did you receive healthcare through your employer? If so, can you afford the healthcare that is offered by your employer?

Does the employer-provided coverage at this employer adequately provide for your healthcare needs? Why or why not?

Do/did you receive paid vacation time?

Yes No

Do/did you receive paid sick time?

Yes No Combined with my vacation time

Does/did your employer contribute to a 401k, pension plan, or profit-sharing program on your behalf? Select all that apply.

401k RRSP Pension Plan Profit-Sharing Plan None of the above

Does your employer provide any other benefits not mentioned above? (for example, childcare, training courses, unlimited vacation)

Next, a few questions referring to your experiences in games overall.

Do you feel that your working environment has improved or gotten worse over time?

Do you work hours for your employer that you are not compensated for?

Yes No No, but I used to Not sure

Have you experienced crunch in the past two years?

Yes No

Do you feel that overtime hours are self-imposed, pressure from management, or pressure from peers?

Self-imposed Pressure from Management Pressure from Peers Other None

Have you ever been expected to complete tasks that are under the description of another job title without additional pay?

Yes No Not Sure

Does your employer offer training or educational resources to you and your coworkers to further your career opportunities?

Yes No Not Sure

Are you offered any opportunities to be promoted within your company, or are team leads and supervisors often brought in as new hires?

Have you, as an individual, been able to negotiate with your employers for better pay?

Yes No

Has an employer ever asked you to sign a contract that limits you from working elsewhere or working on personal projects (often known as a non-compete clause)?

Yes No

Have you been harassed or discriminated against on the job? Has management acted in those cases?

Have you ever experienced abusive behavior from a game's audience or community? Select all that apply.

Harassed or Stalked Online Doxxing Swatting Other None of the above

Has your employer taken any steps to prevent harassment of employees by a game's audience?

Yes No Not Sure

And finally, some open ended questions to better understand your thoughts.

Do you think working in the games industry is sustainable for you long-term? Why or why not? *

What is your top priority for what you would like to see changed in the game development industry to improve working conditions for you and your coworkers? *

Do you feel that you have the ability as an individual to negotiate with your employer for viable solutions to your priorities? *

Yes No

Do you feel your concerns are widely felt among your coworkers? *

Yes No

Would you like to help us unite the game worker community and take part in planning more activities like this survey? *

Yes No I'd love to, but I'm too busy right now Not sure, need more information

Is there someone else you think should take this survey? Please enter their non-work email here

If you receive an error, or have any questions, please contact Chrissy Fellmeth at cfellmeth@iatse.net

2023 Gameworkers.org Rates and Conditions Survey (RPG-IATSE)

First, a little about you:

Second, a little about your most recent workplace:

Next, a few questions referring to your experiences in games overall.

And finally, some open ended questions to better understand your thoughts.

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Thank you for participating in the survey!

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