Nearly 200 Activision Blizzard developers working on the popular Overwatch franchise have successfully unionized, forming the Overwatch Gamemakers Guild under the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This marks another significant step in the ongoing efforts to improve working conditions within the gaming industry, following the unionization of the World of Warcraft development team last year. The guild includes developers across various disciplines, from production and engineering to design, art, sound, and quality assurance, demonstrating a broad-based commitment to collective bargaining.
The CWA announced that an overwhelming majority of eligible workers voted in favor of union representation. This win is particularly significant given the history of layoffs, crunch periods, and less-than-ideal working conditions often reported within the video game industry. Organizing committee member Foster Elmendorf expressed the team’s enthusiasm, stating that they are “thrilled to be joining the broader union effort to organize our industry for the better, which has been long overdue.”
This unionization effort comes in the wake of the 2021 lawsuit against Activision Blizzard alleging a toxic work environment and sexual harassment. Although former CEO Bobby Kotick denied responsibility, attributing the issues to labor organizers, the subsequent $54 million settlement with California suggests otherwise. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023, and their subsequent labor neutrality agreement with the CWA in 2022, has undeniably facilitated these recent unionization successes.
The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild’s formation adds to the growing number of unionized workers within Microsoft-owned gaming studios, totaling over 2,600 according to the CWA. This includes a union formed by 600 quality assurance workers at Activision in March 2024. These developments underscore a significant shift in power dynamics within the gaming industry, empowering workers to advocate for better pay, job security, and improved working conditions. The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild’s success serves as a powerful example for other game developers and a testament to the growing strength of organized labor in the tech sector.
