Microsoft-related Blizzard Entertainment staff members join forces with Diablo counterparts to initiate a movement towards significant change, collectively forming a union with over 450 members.

Blizzard Developers Unionize in Response to Job Security Concerns

In a significant move within the gaming industry, over 450 developers at Blizzard Entertainment, responsible for creating popular games like Diablo 4, have unionized with the Communication Workers of America (CWA). This unionization movement has been a growing trend within the broader Microsoft Gaming umbrella.

Since Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard King in October 2023, numerous teams and studios under the Microsoft Gaming banner have organized and formed unions with the CWA. Notable examples include Bethesda Game Studios and various teams at Blizzard Entertainment, such as the World of Warcraft team, the Overwatch 2 team, and the Story and Franchise Development team.

The Diablo team at Blizzard Entertainment is the latest to join this unionized wave. The decision was driven by numerous cuts at Microsoft and concerns over job security. Ryan Littleton, a game designer on Diablo, shared his experience of being denied access to his badge after a round of layoffs, causing worry about potential job loss.

Skye Hoefling, a senior software engineer II on Diablo, echoed similar sentiments, stating that passion can't protect them from job instability. The union, according to Hoefling, allows Diablo team members to organise across the industry, making great games, and protecting developers from layoffs, passion tax, and crunch.

Microsoft, in response to these unionization efforts, implemented a neutrality policy towards unions in 2022 during its bid to acquire Activision Blizzard King. This policy ensures that the company remains impartial during union organizing and contract negotiations.

Many of these unionized teams are now working towards ratifying a contract. The ZeniMax QA workers and the Raven Software QA team have already ratified contracts with Microsoft.

Banding together is considered the best chance employees have for helping to improve the gaming industry. By unionizing, developers can collectively address job security concerns, push for fairer working conditions, and advocate for industry-wide changes.

Layoffs have a chilling effect on team members, making it harder for them to focus on their work. The union aims to alleviate this by providing a sense of security and stability, allowing team members to focus on creating the best games possible.

The Diablo team at Blizzard Entertainment officially formed a union with the CWA in August 2025, representing over 450 employees including designers, artists, and technicians. This union was recognized by Microsoft, marking a significant step towards a more secure and fair gaming industry.