Co-op mode: The emancipatory potential of freelancer co-operatives in the UK Games Industry following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Freelancing, Videogames, COVID-19, Co-operatives, Labour
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 09:40 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 11:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 57

Abstract

There are numerous forms of corporate structure, but many do not have offer protection to workers from exploitation and inequalities which can arise in the videogames industry; however, co-operatives are a method of employment that can provide this protection, and more. Although worker co-operatives are not currently a common method of ‘corporate’ structure, they are becoming a viable option for start-up companies all over the globe. Their viability only increases when you consider that there are currently 2 million freelancers in the UK, with the majority (1.77 million) working freelance as their main form of occupation. The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for those freelancing in the UK creative industries with contracts being dropped unexpectedly and receiving little governmental support. Even with work continuing remotely, the videogames industry has also seen its fair share of issues, such as isolation and burnout caused by the remote exploitation of creative and emotional labour.

This paper highlights the emancipatory potential of co-operatives and collectives amongst freelancers in the videogames industry. As a result, it adds to existing discourse on how COVID-19 has impacted freelancers in the UK’s creative industries, and in particular the videogames industry. Additionally, the paper adds to existing knowledge on the viability of co-operative working groups and their emancipatory potential against toxic working cultures, particularly within the UK videogames industry. Lastly, the paper highlights how, following COVID-19, co-operatives have potential to be the future of creative work to prevent issues highlighted by the pandemic occurring in the future.