Over 180 Overwatch creators at Blizzard have established a new labor union: The Overwatch Game Creators Union
Taking a Stand: Overwatch Devs Form Union Under CWA
Game devs from more than 190 Overwatch teams have banded together, forming a new union named The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild under the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This dynamic collective stretches across various disciplines, including design, production, engineering, art, sound, and quality assurance.
The union's formation came after a neutral arbitrator confirmed a resounding majority of employees had either signed an authorization card or expressed support for unionization online. CWA proudly declares that Microsoft has acknowledged the union.
Foster Elmendorf, a senior test analyst II and organizing committee member, expressed elation at the union's inception. "After years of layoffs, crunch, and subpar working conditions in the global gaming industry—a change that's long overdue—my coworkers and I are excited to join the wider union effort to improve our sector." He added, "Unionizing allows us to propose beneficial initiatives that could improve our workplace and gaming as a whole."
With the gaming industry seeing a surge in unionization efforts in recent times, Microsoft has earned some accolades for avoiding active opposition to these initiatives. For example, in 2022, the CWA trumpeted a "groundbreaking labor neutrality agreement" with Microsoft regarding unionization at Activision Blizzard. In 2023, the CWA ran a pro-union ad in the Washington Post, endorsed by them, and the following year, World of Warcraft senior producer Samuel Cooper credited Microsoft for aiding in the unionization of WoW devs.
The industry-wide union push has been significant, with the CWA announcing United Videogame Workers-CWA in March, an organization open to developers across North America, regardless of the organization's current union status.
The driving force behind this unionization movement stemmed from the brutal layoffs of 2023 and 2024, which left thousands of industry professionals out of work. Blizzard test analyst Simon Hedrick pointed out that "the biggest issue was the layoffs at the beginning of 2024," when Microsoft cut 1,900 jobs at Activision Blizzard and Xbox. "People were suddenly gone, and there was nothing we could do," Hedrick explained. "My main concern is the well-being of my colleagues."
Overwatch UI artist Sadie Boyd, who was formerly with Arkane Austin before Microsoft closed the studio, echoed similar thoughts on X. "Working alongside such a talented and compassionate team is a privilege," she wrote. "It's because of their nature that we unionize-to protect them."
As the shine on Microsoft's seemingly pro-union image begins to fade slightly, union members at ZeniMax led by ZeniMax Workers United-CWA voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if contract negotiations, which have been ongoing for almost two years, fail to yield significant progress in April 2025.
Despite the challenges faced during union negotiations, the Communications Workers of America claims that more than 2,600 people at Microsoft studios have joined CWA-affiliated unions since the labor neutrality agreement went into effect, allowing them to advocate for better workplace conditions like layoff protections, job security, wage increases, limits on outsourcing, and remote work protections.
This transformation in the gaming industry demonstrates the growing wave of unionization, particularly within Microsoft-owned studios.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or criticism of any organization mentioned.
- The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild, a union under the CWA that spans various game development disciplines, has officially formed.
- The union's establishment was affirmed by a neutral arbitrator who confirmed majority employee support for unionization, both offline and online.
- Microsoft has acknowledged the union, which has gained notice due to its pro-union stand in the gaming industry.
- In 2023, the unionization movement saw a notable increase, with the CWA introducing the United Videogame Workers-CWA, a union open to developers from across North America.
- The push for unionization was fueled by the layoffs of 2023 and 2024, which impacted thousands of industry professionals.
- Union members at ZeniMax, led by ZeniMax Workers United-CWA, have voted to authorize a strike if contract negotiations, ongoing for nearly two years, fail to produce significant progress in April 2025.
- Over the years, more than 2,600 people at Microsoft studios have joined CWA-affiliated unions, enabling them to advocate for better workplace conditions.
- This wave of unionization within Microsoft-owned studios serves as a testament to the broader transformation happening in the gaming industry, affecting areas such as job security, wages, outsourcing, remote work, and more.
