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4h ago

Blizzard's Overwatch 2 Developers Form Union, Adding to Growing Industry Movement

Nearly 200 Overwatch 2 team members have joined the CWA, becoming the second union at Blizzard and pushing for improved labor conditions.

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Overwatch's Zarya flexing

Overview

  • The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-CWA includes nearly 200 developers across disciplines such as QA, art, engineering, and design.
  • This marks the second wall-to-wall union at Blizzard, following the World of Warcraft team's unionization in July 2024.
  • Microsoft has officially recognized the union, making its members part of CWA Local 9510 in Orange County, California.
  • Key motivations for unionizing include layoffs in early 2024, pay disparities, work-from-home restrictions, and protections against crunch and severance issues.
  • The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild is now preparing to negotiate its first contract, with Microsoft facing accusations of delaying negotiations in similar cases.