Overwatch 2 Team at Blizzard Unionizes: A Stand for Security and Better Games
In a significant move for the gaming industry, the Overwatch 2 team at Blizzard Entertainment has officially unionized, joining the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This decision, impacting nearly 200 developers across various disciplines, marks a pivotal moment following a wave of layoffs and concerns over working conditions since Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The announcement, shared by the CWA, highlights overwhelming support from the team, now known as the Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-CWA. A neutral arbitrator confirmed that the majority of workers signed union authorization cards or expressed their desire for union representation online.
Simon Hedrick, a test analyst at Blizzard, told Kotaku the layoffs at the beginning of 2024 were a critical catalyst. "People were gone out of nowhere and there was nothing we could do about it," he stated, emphasizing the desire to protect colleagues. "What I want to protect most here is the people." This sentiment echoes across the team, reflecting a need for job security and a voice in company decisions.
Beyond layoffs, the unionization effort was fueled by pay disparities, work-from-home restrictions, and the desire for codified protections regarding crunch time, time off, and severance packages. Foster Elmendorf, a senior test analyst who has been with Blizzard since 2004, emphasized the importance of having a seat at the table to prioritize fun, not just profit.
Another key issue was the changes to the company's profit sharing program, which left Overwatch 2 staff without bonuses for a year. According to Elmendorf, "If [concessions] are given without organizing they can be taken away without it, too."
UI artist Sadie Boyd, who joined Blizzard last September, echoed this sentiment: "We're not just a number on an Excel sheet. We want to make games but we can't do it without a sense of security." Her experience with a previous union drive at Arkane Austin further solidified her commitment to collective bargaining.
The formation of the Overwatch Gamemakers Guild comes at a crucial time for Overwatch 2. With the game evolving and introducing new features, the union aims to ensure that developers' concerns are addressed and their working conditions contribute to the overall quality of the game. It's worth noting that this is not the only union formed at a Microsoft-owned gaming studio; the World of Warcraft team unionized last July. Microsoft has been accused of slow-walking negotiations with other internal game unions, so the Overwatch team might face a challenging path ahead.
The move underscores a growing trend within the gaming industry向, where developers are increasingly seeking collective bargaining power to advocate for their rights and improve their working lives. It remains to be seen how this will impact the future of Overwatch 2 and the broader gaming landscape.
What are your thoughts on the Overwatch team's unionization? Do you think this will lead to better working conditions and ultimately, better games? Share your opinions in the comments below.
