The Communication Workers of America has announced that a "majority of video game developers" for the Hearthstone team have decided to unionize. More than 100 Blizzard Entertainment employees are joining the union, following in the footsteps of the Overwatch 2 crew earlier this year.
The unionization includes Blizzard employees who worked on Warcraft Rumble, a game that went into life-support mode in July. Around the same time, Microsoft announced mass layoffs that included a reported 100 Blizzard workers.
"Whether we are fighting for layoff protections, security for our remote workers, or reduced wage gaps, the pressures we face are making it harder to create the high-quality work we care about," said organizing committee member and senior 2D artist Uriah Voth in the CWA press release. "Organizing gives us the opportunity to empower ourselves and challenge the instability and unfair conditions that undermine us."
The CWA notes that "Microsoft has recognized the union." In 2024, the World of Warcraft team started the unionization efforts at Blizzard and inspired the Hearthstone developers, per CWA. Not even two months ago, the Diablo team voted to unionize, as well. There are now over 1,900 Blizzard employees who are part of the union.
Meanwhile, Hearthstone will introduce the Across the Timeways expansion on November 4. There will be 145 new cards added to the game, alongside time travel. Blizzard's fan expo BlizzCon skipped this year but will be back in September 2026.
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The unionization includes Blizzard employees who worked on Warcraft Rumble, a game that went into life-support mode in July. Around the same time, Microsoft announced mass layoffs that included a reported 100 Blizzard workers.
"Whether we are fighting for layoff protections, security for our remote workers, or reduced wage gaps, the pressures we face are making it harder to create the high-quality work we care about," said organizing committee member and senior 2D artist Uriah Voth in the CWA press release. "Organizing gives us the opportunity to empower ourselves and challenge the instability and unfair conditions that undermine us."
The CWA notes that "Microsoft has recognized the union." In 2024, the World of Warcraft team started the unionization efforts at Blizzard and inspired the Hearthstone developers, per CWA. Not even two months ago, the Diablo team voted to unionize, as well. There are now over 1,900 Blizzard employees who are part of the union.
Meanwhile, Hearthstone will introduce the Across the Timeways expansion on November 4. There will be 145 new cards added to the game, alongside time travel. Blizzard's fan expo BlizzCon skipped this year but will be back in September 2026.
Source