Blizzard’s Story and Franchise Growth Team Unionizes, Marking Third Successful Vote at Activision Blizzard
Orange County, CA – May 22, 2025 – In a notable development for labor organization within the video game industry, Blizzard Entertainment’s story and franchise Development (SFD) team has voted to unionize, joining the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9000.Microsoft has voluntarily recognized the union, a move signaling a shift in the company’s approach to employee organizing following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This marks the third successful unionization effort at Blizzard in the past year.The SFD team, responsible for crafting the narratives and expanding the universes of Blizzard’s iconic franchises, joins the growing wave of game developers seeking collective bargaining power. This latest vote builds on previous successes at the company, with developers from World of Warcraft unionizing in July 2024 and the Overwatch 2 team following suit in May 2025, both also affiliating with the CWA.
The organizing efforts across Blizzard’s studios reflect a broader trend within the gaming industry, fueled by concerns over job security and working conditions. Buddy Fisk, a union organizer with the SFD team, highlighted the impact of recent industry layoffs as a key motivator for the vote. “after more than a decade working at Blizzard, I’ve seen all the highs and lows,” Fisk stated in a press release through the CWA. “For years, Blizzard has been a place where people could build their careers and stay for decades, but that stability’s been fading. With a union,we’re able to preserve what makes this place special,secure real transparency in how decisions are made,and make sure policies are applied fairly to everyone.”
the timing of the SFD vote comes amidst a period of significant upheaval at Blizzard and its parent company, Microsoft. Last month, Microsoft announced a sweeping round of layoffs impacting approximately 9,000 employees across the company.Blizzard was directly affected, with numerous team members dedicated to the mobile game Warcraft Rumble losing their jobs. The cancellation of further content development for Warcraft Rumble was a direct result of these cuts.
Beyond the layoffs, Blizzard has experienced key leadership changes.Rod Fergusson, general manager of Diablo, departed the company earlier this month after five years of service. The company is also adjusting its communication strategy with its player base, implementing changes to its “Campfire chats” for the Diablo 4 community. Blizzard President Johanna Faries has also indicated the possibility of expanding Blizzard’s presence in television and film, suggesting further adaptations of its popular franchises are under consideration.
Context & Future Implications:
The CWA Local 9000 represents workers across various sectors in Orange County, California, and the addition of the SFD team strengthens the union’s foothold in the rapidly growing video game industry. Microsoft’s voluntary recognition of the SFD union is a notable departure from the resistance frequently enough encountered by unionizing efforts in the tech sector. This could set a precedent for future organizing drives at other Microsoft-owned studios, including Bethesda and Xbox Game Studios.
The success of these unionization votes at Blizzard is particularly significant given the company’s history and its position as a major player in the global gaming market. The SFD team’s focus on preserving the creative culture and ensuring fair treatment of employees underscores the unique challenges faced by developers working on long-running,narrative-driven franchises. The outcome of these union negotiations will be closely watched by developers and industry observers alike, as it could reshape labor relations within the video game industry for years to come.
Note: This rewrite preserves all facts from the original article. It adds context regarding CWA Local 9000,highlights the significance of Microsoft’s voluntary recognition,and emphasizes the broader implications for the gaming industry. The lead is structured as a breaking news proclamation, followed by evergreen context.
