[Bu-aeri's Game Dictionary] "Suffered from Job Insecurity" The Third Union's Cry

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] XL Games, a subsidiary of Kakao Games, has become the third company in the gaming industry to establish a labor union. XL Games, founded by CEO Song Jae-kyung, known as the "Father of Lineage," developed titles such as Moonlight Sculptor. The XL Games union, named "XL Reboot," is affiliated with the Kakao branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions’ National Chemical, Textile, and Food Industry Union.

The Third Union Emerges in Two Years

Although the gaming industry is growing, chronic issues such as working hours, the comprehensive wage system, and job insecurity for industry workers remain problematic. Because of this, union establishments have been ongoing in the gaming sector since 2018.

Jin Chang-hyun, head of the XL Games branch, told Asia Economy on the 18th about future plans: "We will conduct collective bargaining to resolve issues such as abolishing the discretionary work system, implementing flexible work hours, introducing a clock-in/out recording system, and ensuring job stability."

According to the XL Games union, although XL Games was acquired by Kakao Games and the management earned hundreds of billions in profits, there were no changes for the employees. Workers suffered from job insecurity due to consecutive project cancellations.

The absence of an attendance management system at XL Games was also criticized. The union claims this caused overtime work exceeding 52 hours and that no one received proper rest or overtime pay.

Among the 3N, Only 'Nexon' Has a Union

Currently, only three companies in the gaming industry have established unions: Nexon, Smilegate, and XL Games. Among the major game companies known as the "3N," neither NCSoft nor Netmarble has a union.

Nexon was the first in the domestic gaming industry to establish a union, "Starting Point," in 2018. At that time, the Nexon union stated in its founding declaration, "Although the domestic gaming industry has rapidly grown to a market size of 12 trillion won, the working conditions of the game industry workers who design and create games are very poor." Following Nexon that same year, Smilegate quickly announced the launch of its union named "SG Guild."

The IT Committee of the National Chemical, Textile, and Food Industry Union, to which the Nexon and Smilegate unions belong, issued a statement welcoming the establishment of the XL Games union.

They explained, "Before unions were formed in the gaming industry, the comprehensive wage system was an accepted reality, but we changed that. We also changed the practice so that forced resignation after project cancellations is no longer possible." They added, "We are not machine parts but people. We are striving to create healthy games on the foundation of a healthy life," expressing support for the establishment of the XL Games union.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.