World of Warcraft Developers Have Unionized

World of Warcraft Developers Have Unionized

As a long-time fan of World of Warcraft and an avid supporter of fair labor practices, I am thrilled to see over 500 developers at Blizzard Entertainment form the first union at Activision Blizzard. The WoW Gamemakers Guild, consisting of QA, Art, Sound, Design, Engineering, and Production team members, is a testament to the collective power of workers coming together to demand better pay, benefits, and job security.


I’m thrilled to share that over 500 developers at Blizzard Entertainment, the brilliant minds behind World of Warcraft, have rallied together to establish the first union across Activision Blizzard. According to the WoW Gamemakers Guild, this inclusive union brings together QA testers, artists, sound designers, game designers, engineers, and production team members. By doing so, we aim to amplify as many voices as possible in our democratic workplace. Following a successful majority vote, over 1,750 video game workers at Microsoft are now represented by the Communications Workers of America union.

“At World of Warcraft, we’ve made significant progress, but my fellow team members and I are determined to achieve even more. We’re working towards securing better wages, benefits, and job security through union representation. By having a collective voice, we believe that this will be beneficial for employee conditions, the studio, and the fans who expect an exceptional gaming experience. With our union, we’re prepared to face any difficulties, mend any rifts, and deal maximum damage to overcome challenges ahead. United, we will guarantee a complete set bonus that encompasses all job roles within the union. Just like the legendary heroes of Azeroth, our union is crafted from unwavering determination and fortitude. Together, we will remain steadfast as one Alliance and Horde, ensuring a prosperous future for everyone.”

As an avid gamer, I’ve come to realize that the unionization movement among game developers is becoming increasingly significant. The talented people behind the scenes, who create the games we love on various platforms, are facing a challenging industry environment. This year has seen numerous layoffs and studio closures, leaving many developers uncertain about their future. Moreover, there’s mounting pressure to deliver high-quality content rapidly, which can lead to low morale among developers due to the unsustainable workloads.

Tom Smith, the Senior Director of Organizing at CWA, expressed his awe over the historic union formation by World of Warcraft workers. This milestone signifies a turning point for video game worker organizing, industry-wide. The success, stemming from years of dedication since the inception of the Game Workers Unite movement at GDC, symbolizes a strong determination for change. Unionizing one of gaming’s most successful titles heralds the growing influence of solidarity among workers – from established companies like SEGA and Bethesda to indie developers. Six years ago, this seemed unachievable; now it’s a reality, marking just the beginning of this transformative journey. United, workers are reshaping their industry. Previously, my most memorable WoW moment was masterfully main-tanking RoS as a prot warrior, managing stance-dancing with no off-tank during TBC. However, today’s accomplishments by these extraordinary workers surpass that experience.

The union representing Blizzard Entertainment employees becomes affiliated with the unions of Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax, Activison, SEGA America, Tender Claws, and Blizzard – forming a united front within the CWA (Communications Workers of America) union family.

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2024-07-25 07:09