Activision Blizzard's 'World of Warcraft' game developers vote to unionize

Game developers at Blizzard Entertainment, responsible for the popular game "World of Warcraft," have voted to unionize, with over 300 out of 500 employees supporting the move to join the Communications Workers of America Local 9510. This decision reflects a growing trend of unionization within the video game industry. The union aims to address various workplace issues, including pay, hours, promotion transparency, remote work, and layoff protections. Eric Lanham, a test analyst and member of the organizing committee, highlighted the impact of mandatory overtime on his family life and the inadequacy of current salaries in relation to living costs in Irvine, California.

Blizzard, a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, has recognized the union, which is significant given that Microsoft, the parent company, has pledged neutrality in unionization efforts. This approach could facilitate further unionization across the industry, as evidenced by the 1,750 video game workers at Microsoft who have already joined the CWA. The unionization effort follows a broader movement among game workers advocating for better working conditions, especially in light of recent layoffs and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in game development. The successful vote by "World of Warcraft" developers comes shortly after a similar unionization effort at Bethesda Game Studios, indicating a shift in labor dynamics within the gaming sector.