Gaming industry labor movement gains momentum as more than 160 Blizzard employees in Irvine unionize
Unionization Wave Hits Blizzard Entertainment
A significant shift is underway in the video game industry, as more workers are standing up for better working conditions and fair treatment. This is particularly evident at Blizzard Entertainment, a subsidiary of Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard, the largest game company in the Americas.
More than 500 game developers who work on the blockbuster video game "World of Warcraft" have elected to form a union, joining over 160 workers in the Irvine studio who are largely involved with cinematics, animation, trailers, and narrative content. These workers have voted to unionize with the Communications Workers of America Local 95010.
The unionization drive at Blizzard Entertainment is part of a broader trend seen across Microsoft-owned studios, including Raven Software and other Activision Blizzard branches. Common grievances triggering this action include frequent layoffs, lack of remote work options, workplace harassment, wage stagnation, and no clear career advancement paths.
The persistent issues of intense crunch times, inadequate pay, insecure job conditions, and workplace misconduct have fueled the unionization drive. Workers seek to improve wages, establish fair policies, gain better job security, and reduce the exhausting crunch hours typical before game releases, which have adversely affected creativity and morale.
Union agreements emerging from these efforts, such as the one at Raven Software, have delivered tangible benefits like wage increases, mechanisms to prevent mandatory crunch periods, better overtime rules, improved workplace protections, disability accommodations, and safeguards during layoffs including severance pay and career transition support.
Microsoft’s recognition of these unions has facilitated the organizing process, signaling a transformative labor shift in the gaming sector where employees are increasingly empowered to advocate for sustainable work conditions and equitable treatment.
Across the U.S. and Canada, over 6,000 video game workers have organized, with the first union forming at the end of 2021 at an indie studio called Vodeo Games. Activision Blizzard was formed in 2008 through the merger of Santa Monica-based Activision with the parent company of Blizzard Entertainment. Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in 2023.
John Gearratana, a cinematic producer who works out of the Irvine campus, has expressed frustration with frequent layoffs and lack of remote work options. He, along with many other workers, hope that the union will bring about positive change and address the systemic challenges that have long characterized the industry.
- The unionization wave is not only affecting Blizzard Entertainment, but also other game companies, such as Microsoft-owned studios like Raven Software.
- Workers in the entertainment industry, particularly those at Blizzard Entertainment in Los Angeles, California, have been activating for better working conditions, including fair treatment, clear career paths, and better wage stagnation.
- The technology sector, including businesses and finance, have been impacted by this unionization drive, with grievances including frequent layoffs, lack of remote work options, and workplace harassment.
- The forming of unions, such as the Communications Workers of America Local 95010, have led to benefits like wage increases, prevention of mandatory crunch periods, better overtime rules, improved workplace protections, disability accommodations, and safeguards during layoffs.
