Members of the STJV union at Arkane Lyon have issued an open letter demanding an end to Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). They express concerns over Microsoft’s role in the escalating conflict in Gaza which has resulted in significant loss of life, particularly among children.

The letter highlights the need for a transparent audit of Microsoft’s technologies and services to ensure they are not contributing to violations of international human rights laws. Recent reports have detailed Microsoft’s entanglements with the IDF, causing unrest among its employees and the public.

The Gaza conflict, which escalated drastically after a Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, has led to nearly 62,000 deaths according to sources, spurring protests from both employees and shareholders.

Arkane’s union emphasizes the moral and practical repercussions of the situation, stating that continued support for the IDF by Microsoft could negatively affect their products and job security within the gaming industry.

In solidarity with global movements like the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign, the employees call for an immediate stop to contracts with the Israeli military, a ceasefire in Gaza, and protections for those advocating for Palestinian rights within the company.

This unprecedented demand from a studio union represents a significant cultural shift in the video game industry concerning social responsibility and active engagement in global affairs.