Employees at King, the Swedish developer known for the massively popular mobile title Candy Crush Saga, have issued a formal notice of intent to strike starting September 25. The action comes after negotiations for a new union contract reached an impasse, following the company’s rejection of a proposed collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in August.
Two major Swedish labor organizations, Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer, announced the strike warning. In a statement on LinkedIn, Unionen emphasized that its members are seeking secured working conditions, a voice in workplace decisions, and transparent rules applicable to all staff. Sveriges Ingenjörer echoed these sentiments, noting that the walkout will proceed unless a mediator can help both sides reach a resolution before the end of September.
King justified its refusal to accept the CBA by stating that its current benefits package already provides superior terms for its global workforce, including employees based in Sweden. However, labor advocates argue that a formal contract is necessary to guarantee those protections in writing.
The strike threat adds pressure to Microsoft, which acquired King as part of its $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard in 2023. The financial stakes are high; according to Bloomberg, Candy Crush Saga generated $875 million in revenue in 2025, making it one of the company’s most reliable earners.
This development occurs against a backdrop of growing labor momentum within Microsoft’s gaming division. Earlier this week, workers at Blizzard Entertainment ratified their first union contracts, securing wage increases, hybrid work options, and “just cause” employment protections. Industry observers suggest that the success at Blizzard and the significant revenue generated by King may compel Microsoft to facilitate a quicker resolution to the ongoing dispute at King.
While issuing a strike notice does not guarantee that work will actually stop, such tactics are frequently used to encourage management to return to the bargaining table with renewed urgency.
Leave a Reply