Blizzard’s Diablo team has taken a decisive step toward changing the industry: 450 developers have voted to unionize under the Communications Workers of America (CWA). 
The move comes as concerns over job security, mass layoffs, and what workers call the “passion tax” continue to plague the gaming world.
The new union members will join existing CWA locals in Irvine, Albany, and Austin. Microsoft, which owns Blizzard, has recognized the union in line with its earlier promises during the Activision Blizzard acquisition. But recognition doesn’t mean smooth sailing – Microsoft’s track record with other unions shows that negotiations can drag on for years, sometimes requiring strikes to move the needle.
For many on the Diablo team, the decision reflects growing frustration with the state of the industry. Producer Kelly Yeo explained that repeated layoffs left staff feeling powerless, saying, “No amount of hard work was enough to protect us.” Senior engineer Nav Bhatti added that workers have long paid the price of their passion, with unionizing being a way to stand their ground instead of quietly enduring.
This is not Blizzard’s first push for collective power: the Overwatch 2 team had already unionized, and given ongoing reports of tough working conditions at Microsoft-owned studios, it likely won’t be the last. Whether focused on game design, QA, or even monetization systems, developers are signaling that they want more stability and dignity in their work.
The union effort underlines a growing truth in gaming: developers no longer want to be treated as disposable talent. Instead, they are fighting for sustainable careers in an industry famous for crunch, uncertainty, and relentless cost-cutting.
1 comment
lol just fire em before they even unionize, cheaper that way