
Diablo Developers Unite in Major Union Formation
Blizzard Entertainment sees a significant union formation from its Diablo development team, advocating for better working conditions and rights.
A newly formed union at Blizzard Entertainment is making headlines, comprising over 450 developers from Team 3, the group behind the Diablo series. This union, established under the Communication Workers of America, stands as one of the largest labor organizations within Blizzard in recent years.
In 2022, the Game Workers Alliance became the first union within Activision Blizzard, formed by quality assurance personnel from Raven Software. Since then, the trend of unionization has expanded, with multiple teams across franchises like Warcraft and Overwatch following suit.
Now, the Diablo team—representing an essential segment of Blizzard’s operations—has united for better job security and benefits, especially amidst layoffs prevalent at Microsoft. This sizeable union aims to safeguard its members against potential job cuts and ensure their rights are upheld in an evolving industry landscape.
Data from August 28 indicates that a significant majority of the Diablo development team voted in favor of this union. This collective action is expected to provide stronger protections and greater leverage for employees seeking fair wages and rights.
In addition, this latest union is part of a broader movement at Blizzard that includes various departments unionizing throughout August 2023, focusing on establishing better working conditions in the face of increasing layoffs and technological pressures within the gaming industry.
Union efforts are vital as they foster a collective voice among developers, allowing for better advocacy in response to the rapid changes underway across the gaming sector.