Overwatch 2 Developers Form Union to Fight for Job Security and Fair Treatment
Nearly 200 developers from Blizzard’s Overwatch 2 team have officially unionized, forming the **Overwatch Gamemakers Guild** under the **Communications Workers of America (CWA)**. The group includes ground-level artists, engineers, designers, and other non-executive staff at **Team 4**, the studio behind the game.
The union was created in response to growing concerns over **industry layoffs**, unfair wages, and unstable working conditions. While unionization won’t guarantee full protection from layoffs, it provides developers with a collective voice to negotiate for better treatment. “We’re not just a number on an Excel sheet,” said UI artist **Sadie Boyd**. “We want to make games, but we can’t do it without a sense of security.”
The push for unionization gained momentum following the **mass layoffs at Blizzard in early 2024**, which saw nearly 2,000 employees dismissed after Microsoft’s acquisition. “People were gone out of nowhere,” said test analyst **Simon Hedrick**. “What I want to protect most here is the people.”
This marks Blizzard’s **second major union**, following the formation of the **World of Warcraft Gamemakers Guild** in July 2024. The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild now faces the next step: negotiating its first contract with Microsoft.
With the gaming industry facing an uncertain future, Overwatch 2’s developers hope this move will inspire others to take similar action for workplace stability and fair treatment.
