What to know

  • Over 450 Diablo team members, including developers, artists, and engineers, have formed a union.
  • The union aims to improve compensation, job security, and workplace conditions.
  • This follows the World of Warcraft team’s unionization, with over 3,500 Microsoft workers now in CWA unions.
  • Microsoft’s layoffs in 2024 impacted thousands, fueling the push for unionization.

You may have heard about the evolving landscape of workplace rights in the gaming industry. Recently, Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo team made headlines by forming a union, a significant step for its workers. This move reflects a broader trend among game developers seeking better workplace protections. Here’s what you need to know about this development, its implications, and how it fits into the larger picture at Microsoft.

Diablo team unionizes with over 450 members

More than 450 employees from Blizzard’s Diablo team, spanning roles like game developers, artists, designers, engineers, and support staff, have officially formed a union under the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The group voted strongly in favor of unionization, seeking representation to address key workplace concerns. This marks one of the largest unionization efforts within Microsoft’s gaming divisions, following the World of Warcraft team’s formation of Blizzard’s first wall-to-wall union in 2024.

“With every subsequent round of mass layoffs, I’ve witnessed the dread in my coworkers grow stronger because it feels like no amount of hard work is enough to protect us,” said Kelly Yeo, an organizing committee member for the Diablo union. “This is just the first step for us joining a movement spreading across an industry that is tired of living in fear.”

Goals of the Diablo union

The Diablo team’s unionization focuses on improving several critical aspects of their work environment. Specifically, you’ll find their priorities include:

  • Better compensation: Advocating for fair wages that reflect the team’s contributions to the successful Diablofranchise.
  • Job security: Addressing concerns about layoffs, especially after Microsoft’s significant workforce reductions in 2024.
  • Improved workplace conditions: Pushing for safer, more equitable work environments, including better work-life balance and support for creative roles.

These goals stem from a desire to create stability in an industry often marked by uncertainty, particularly following high-profile layoffs.

Context of Microsoft’s layoffs

Microsoft, Blizzard’s parent company since its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023, has faced scrutiny for substantial layoffs. In 2024, the company cut approximately 1,900 jobs across Activision Blizzard and Xbox divisions. Earlier in the year, reports indicated up to 9,100 total layoffs across Microsoft. These reductions have heightened job insecurity, prompting workers like those on the Diablo team to seek union protections. As Kelly Yeo, an organizing committee member, noted, the fear of layoffs has grown, with employees feeling that hard work alone cannot guarantee job stability.

Part of a broader movement

The Diablo team’s unionization is not an isolated event. It follows the World of Warcraft team’s formation of a union in 2024, which included over 500 developers Eliminatemembers. Currently, more than 3,500 Microsoft employees across various gaming divisions, including Bethesda, ZeniMax, and Activision Blizzard, are part of CWA unions. This growing movement reflects a shift in the gaming industry, where developers are increasingly advocating for their rights amid challenging working conditions.

Why this matters for the gaming industry

The Diablo team’s unionization signals a turning point for game developers. The gaming industry has long faced criticism for issues like crunch culture, unpredictable layoffs, and wage disparities. By forming unions, developers gain collective bargaining power to negotiate better terms with employers like Microsoft. For you, as a gamer or industry observer, this could lead to higher-quality games, as stable and supported teams are better positioned to focus on creative output rather than job insecurity.

Comparison with other gaming unions

The Diablo union aligns with similar efforts across the industry. For instance, the World of Warcraft union set a precedent at Blizzard, while other studios like Sega of America and ZeniMax have seen smaller unionization efforts. Unlike some smaller unions limited to specific roles, the Diablo and World of Warcraft unions are wall-to-wall, encompassing diverse roles across departments. This broader approach strengthens their negotiating power but also presents challenges in aligning varied interests.

What’s next for the Diablo union

The union will now enter negotiations with Microsoft to establish a collective bargaining agreement. This process could take months and will likely focus on codifying protections for wages, benefits, and job security. While Microsoft has remained neutral on unionization efforts compared to other tech giants, the outcome of these negotiations could set a precedent for other gaming teams under its umbrella. You can expect updates as the union progresses, potentially influencing other studios to follow suit.

Implications for Blizzard’s future

For Blizzard, this unionization could reshape how the Diablo franchise is developed. A more stable workforce might lead to faster development cycles or higher-quality releases, benefiting fans. However, negotiations could also introduce short-term challenges, such as delays if workplace reforms disrupt current workflows. For you as a player, the long-term impact could mean a more consistent stream of Diablo content, backed by a workforce with greater job security.

Looking ahead for Diablo’s workforce

The formation of the Diablo team’s union is a pivotal moment for Blizzard and the gaming industry. It reflects a growing demand for fair treatment and stability in a high-pressure field. As the union moves forward with negotiations, you may see ripple effects across other Blizzard titles and Microsoft’s gaming divisions. This step toward collective empowerment could inspire further unionization, potentially transforming the industry’s labor landscape for the better.