“If Quantic Dream wants to destroy jobs, it must pay”: French union call strike as they demand extension to layoff negotiations with Star Wars Eclipse studio
French union Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) has called for an open-ended strike at Quantic Dream, the developer of Star Wars Eclipse, amid ongoing negotiations over planned layoffs. The industrial action was prompted by Quantic Dream’s decision to discontinue development of Spellcasters Chronicles, its MOBA title, which will affect approximately 115 employees.
The union is demanding an extension to the negotiation period and insisting that “propositions from worker representatives be included in the layoffs plan.” In a statement released on August 4th, STJV leveled serious accusations against Quantic Dream, claiming the studio has imposed “illegal deadlines” and squandered substantial portions of the allocated negotiation time. The union’s framing—“If Quantic Dream wants to destroy jobs, it must pay”—underscores the confrontational nature of the dispute.
This labor dispute highlights broader tensions within the video game industry regarding how major studios conduct layoffs and engage with worker representatives. The STJV’s aggressive stance reflects growing activism among video game labor unions in France and Europe, who are increasingly willing to utilize strike action to protect worker interests during company restructuring. The outcome of these negotiations could set precedent for how future layoffs are handled within the French gaming sector.