Nearly 200 developers from Overwatch at Activision Blizzard have taken a significant step in their careers by forming a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), following a resounding majority of their colleagues signing on.
This collective, dubbed The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-CWA (OWGG-CWA), encompasses a diverse range of professionals in the gaming field, including designers, producers, engineers, artists, sound specialists, and quality assurance experts.
“The wave of layoffs impacting the gaming industry—even at my own studio—was a crucial factor that motivated me to explore how we could establish a stronger, healthier work environment for all,” shared Frank Le Cocq, a VFX artist and member of the organizing committee.
“As we embarked on our journey to unionize, it felt incredibly empowering to know that our colleagues over at World of Warcraft had successfully navigated this path before us.”
Jason Justice, President of CWA Local 9510, commented, “California has become a pivotal center for video game organizing. We are thrilled to welcome the Overwatch developers into our CWA family, standing alongside our fellow unions at World of Warcraft and SEGA of America. When workers unite to forge collective strength, we lay the groundwork for a brighter future for everyone.”
In a notable acknowledgment, Microsoft has recognized this union, adding to the over 2100 Microsoft employees already united under the CWA.
As the landscape of game development grows increasingly precarious worldwide, the movement towards collective bargaining among developers and performers is gaining momentum. Following last year’s SAG-AFTRA strike, Equity expressed its solidarity but stopped short of authorizing a similar strike. However, the organization has recently called for enhanced conditions for performers in the gaming sector. This message resonated during a protest outside the BAFTA Games Awards last month, where Equity members displayed signs reading “Union contracts in gaming now.”
Last month, the US union raised alarms over significant “loopholes” that could lead to “AI abuse” in the latest proposals aimed at concluding industrial disputes. In response, industry negotiators affirmed that “meaningful progress” had been achieved.
