A new charity bundle on itch.io gives players a sizeable collection of independent games while helping developers affected by continuing job losses across the video game industry.
More than 100 games in one charity bundle
Organised by Necrosoft Games and The United Videogame Workers-CWA, the Game industry hardship bundle directs all proceeds, excluding itch.io processing fees, to the UVW-CWA’s worker hardship fund.
The fund provides financial assistance to game developers, contractors and freelancers in the United States and Canada who lost their work after January 2024. Applicants do not need to belong to the union, although the fund’s geographic reach is limited by the UVW-CWA’s jurisdiction.
Brandon Sheffield, a director at Necrosoft Games and the bundle’s organiser, helped assemble the collection. It features DRM-free PC versions of more than 100 games, including A Short Hike, SkateBIRD and Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure.
Early support has already topped $20,000
Launched on July 30, the bundle had raised more than $20,000 at the time of publication. It uses a pay-what-you-want model with a minimum purchase price of $10, making it an accessible way for players to support affected workers while adding a broad selection of independent games to their libraries.
For readers who follow the wider arcade and gaming news scene, the campaign is a reminder that the people behind our favourite games remain central to the hobby. The bundle is also a practical option for anyone looking to explore independent releases rather than simply buying another arcade machine.
A response to widespread industry layoffs
Job losses have affected large publishers and small studios alike, including teams behind games that performed well commercially or earned strong critical responses. The 2026 GDC State of the Game Industry report found that more than a quarter of developers had been laid off during the previous two years. In the United States alone, the figure was approximately one-third.
Those statistics represent people losing income and stability, not merely adjustments in a company spreadsheet. The hardship fund aims to provide direct help during that disruption, with community support and unionisation identified as important tools for improving conditions across the industry.
The bundle remains available until August 13. Developers who meet the eligibility requirements can use the fund’s application information, while players can contribute through the bundle. Those interested in hands-on arcade projects can also browse DIY arcade kits or learn more about maintaining existing cabinets through arcade repairs.
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