Hundreds Of Blizzard ‘Diablo’ Developers Unionize With CWA: Microsoft Voluntarily Recognizes The Unit

More than 450 developers on Blizzard’s Diablo franchise have voted to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), forming one of the largest wall-to-wall unions at Microsoft-owned studio Blizzard. Microsoft has recognized the unit, which spans game developers, artists, designers, engineers, and support staff across multiple states.

“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 game producer Kelly Yeo. “I am overjoyed that we have formed a union — this is just the first step for us joining a movement spreading across an industry that is tired of living in fear. We are ready to begin fighting for real change alongside our Diablo colleagues.”

For many, the union drive was about securing stability in an unstable sector. Software engineer Skye Hoefling said, “I grew up playing Diablo, and I feel lucky that I get to work at Blizzard on a game that’s very special to me and the gaming community. But passion can’t protect us from job instability. Our union allows us to focus on making magical experiences for our players instead of worrying about the unstable job industry.”

Nav Bhatti, another software engineer, added: “My entire career as a developer has seen my peers and [me] paying the ‘passion tax’ for working in an industry that we love. At some point, you have to choose between fight or flight, and forming a union is us doing just that — standing our ground in the industry.”

Others pointed to the climate of uncertainty created by layoffs. Designer Ryan Littleton recalled: “The day after the third round of mass layoffs, I walked into the office, and when I tried to open the door to the cafeteria, my badge was denied. For a moment, I wondered if getting breakfast was how I’d find out I was part of that round. While luckily it was just a technical issue, none of us should have to live with that constant worry that we might be let go at the drop of a hat. A union allows us to organize across the industry to make great games and protect the developers who create them from the constant pressures of layoffs, passion tax, and crunch.”

The move builds on recent organizing across Microsoft studios, including World of Warcraft, ZeniMax Media, and Raven Software. Over 3,500 Microsoft workers have now joined CWA, part of a growing movement that also includes the newly launched United Videogame Workers-CWA.

“Diablo workers are the latest to show that California has become a hub for video game worker organizing,” said Jason Justice, president of CWA Local 9510. “Entertainment workers across film, television, music, and now video games are standing together to have a seat at the table. The strength of our movement comes from that solidarity.”

Ron Swaggerty, president of CWA Local 6215, added, “We are thrilled to welcome these video game workers into Austin’s union family. Each new organizing effort adds momentum to the nationwide movement for video game worker power.”