Over 450 Diablo Developers Unionize
More than 450 developers, artists, engineers, designers, and support staff members working on Blizzard’s iconic Diablo series have decided to unionize. According to a statement by the Communication Workers Union (CWA), this new union will be one of the largest ever formed at a Microsoft studio. The recent spate of layoffs and uncertainty in the gaming industry influenced the workers’ decision to organize.
Why Did the Diablo Developers Unionize?
According to the CWA, the developers organized through three different local unions: Irvine (Local 9510), Albany (Local 1118), and Austin (Local 6215). This union, encompassing not just a single department but the entire Diablo team, has been formed “wall to wall,” encompassing the entire studio. This is being cited as one of the most powerful examples of the growing unionization movement within Microsoft’s game studios.
Diablo software engineer Skye Hoefling supported the decision, saying, “I played this game passionately as a child, and it’s a great opportunity to be working on it now. But passion doesn’t protect us from job insecurity. Our union will allow us to focus on creating magical experiences for players without worry.” This statement also highlights the discussions surrounding the “passion tax,” which have been frequently discussed in recent years.
Designer Ryan Littleton expressed his more determined approach to this process after the recent layoffs at Microsoft. “None of us have to live in constant fear of losing our jobs. A union offers us not only the opportunity to defend our rights but also the opportunity to solidarize with more humane conditions across the industry,” he said, emphasizing the importance of the union.
According to CWA data, Microsoft recognized the employees’ initiative and officially recognized the union’s formation. This brings the number of unionized employees at Microsoft to over 3,500 since July 2024. This development is considered a turning point not only for the future of the Diablo series, but also for the workers’ rights movement in the gaming industry in general.
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