LABOUR LAW AND THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY: EXAMINING WORKER PROTECTION IN A PROJECT-BASED DIGITAL ECONOMY

AUTHOR – SHEHVAR SALEEM, MD SAQIB ANSARI & KARAN GANGRADE

STUDENTS AT NATIONAL LAW INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – SHEHVAR SALEEM, MD SAQIB ANSARI & KARAN GANGRADE, LABOUR LAW AND THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY: EXAMINING WORKER PROTECTION IN A PROJECT-BASED DIGITAL ECONOMY, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (3) OF 2026, PG. 519-538, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

1. Abstract

The global video game industry has evolved from a niche hobby into a dominant force in the digital economy, generating revenues that surpass the film and music industries combined. This exponential growth, however, has been accompanied by persistent reports of poor working conditions, including endemic “crunch” culture (excessive unpaid overtime), widespread precarious employment through short-term contracts, and systemic workplace harassment and discrimination. This paper conducts a doctrinal legal analysis to examine whether existing labour law frameworks adequately protect the creative and technical workforce that powers this industry. Through an examination of industry structure and case studies of major controversies at studios like Rockstar Games, CD Projekt Red, and Activision Blizzard, the paper identifies significant regulatory gaps. It argues that traditional labour law, designed for permanent, location-based employment, struggles to regulate a project-based, globalised, and culturally distinct sector where “passion” is often exploited. The analysis focuses on key areas of friction: the misclassification of employees as independent contractors, the normalisation of unpaid overtime, the inadequacy of fixed-term contract regulations, and barriers to unionisation. The paper concludes that while existing laws provide a theoretical foundation for protection, their enforcement is weak and ill-suited to the industry’s realities. It recommends targeted reforms, including strengthened enforcement mechanisms, clearer classification rules, and the proactive promotion of collective bargaining rights to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for the industry’s workforce.