The ongoing writer’s strike is already causing big disruptions in the entertainment industry, with major productions like Marvel’s Blade reboot and Stranger Things season 5 being put on hold. The strike is centered around issues like short-term contracts, low pay, poor residuals, and the threat of machine learning. As more shows and films are affected, the cost of improving writers’ contracts is estimated to be $430 million per year, with the strike potentially causing $2 billion in damages to the entertainment economy.
The impact of the strike on the video game industry is less clear, as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) doesn’t represent game writers. However, some game developers have expressed solidarity with the strikers, including Riot Games, which said in a statement: “We stand in solidarity with the writers and creatives on strike fighting for better working conditions and wages”.

The strike has highlighted the ongoing struggle for fair pay and working conditions in the entertainment industry, which includes the games industry. Video game writers and other creatives have long been fighting for better treatment, with issues such as crunch and job insecurity still prevalent.

As the strike continues, it remains to be seen what further impact it will have on the entertainment industry as a whole. While it’s undoubtedly causing disruption and inconvenience, it’s also a powerful reminder of the importance of fair treatment and respect for those who create the content that we all love to watch, play, and enjoy.