Overwatch Developers Form Historic Union

In a groundbreaking move that is shaking up the gaming industry, nearly 200 developers from the Overwatch team at Activision Blizzard have officially unionized. Under the banner of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), they have created the Overwatch Gamemakers Guild, marking another significant milestone in labor organization within Blizzard, following the unionization of the World of Warcraft development team last July.

Majority Support for Union Representation

The CWA announced on Friday that an astonishing majority of workers either signed union authorization cards or expressed a desire for union representation. This newly established unit encompasses game developers from various disciplines, including production, engineering, design, art, sound, and quality assurance. Their demands focus on crucial issues like job security, improved salaries, and protections against layoffs.

Workers Demand Change After Years of Struggles

"After a long history of layoffs, crunch time, and poor working conditions in the global video game industry, my coworkers and I are thrilled to be joining the broader union effort to organize our industry for the better, which has been long overdue," stated organizing committee member Foster Elmendorf in the CWA’s announcement.

Battling Toxic Work Culture at Activision Blizzard

This unionization effort comes on the heels of disturbing allegations against Activision Blizzard regarding a toxic work environment and instances of sexual harassment, which surfaced following a lawsuit filed by the state of California in 2021. Prior to Microsoft's acquisition of the company in 2023, former CEO Bobby Kotick controversially denied responsibility for the reported abuse claims, blaming them instead on labor organizers. Following the massive $68.7 billion acquisition, Activision Blizzard agreed to a $54 million settlement to resolve the lawsuit.

A Wave of Unionization in the Gaming Sector

In the wake of these developments, the CWA reports that more than 2,600 workers at Microsoft-owned game studios have joined their ranks, including 600 quality assurance workers from Activision who formed their own union in March 2024. These unionization efforts are supported by a labor neutrality agreement signed between the CWA and Microsoft in 2022, designed to facilitate organization among employees in subsidiaries like Activision Blizzard.