Blizzard’s Diablo Franchise Workers Unionize Amid Industry‑Wide Layoffs

Blizzard’s Diablo 4

Over 450 developers working on Blizzard’s Diablo franchise have officially voted to unionize.

We’re talking game designers, artists, engineers, and support staff — the whole crew. They’ll now be represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

Depending on where they’re based, they’ll join one of three locals: CWA Local 9510 in Irvine, California; Local 1118 in Albany, New York; or Local 6215 in Austin, Texas.

The CWA says this is now one of the biggest wall‑to‑wall unions at any Microsoft‑owned studio.

The development comes shortly after Blizzard’s Story and Franchise Development teams also voted in favor of unionization, showing a clear trend among workers seeking more stability and stronger protections in an industry often shaken by layoffs.

For many developers, this decision wasn’t just about solidarity but survival. Diablo software engineer Skye Hoefling explained:

“I grew up playing Diablo, and I feel lucky that I get to work at Blizzard on a game that’s very special to me and the gaming community. But passion can’t protect us from job instability. Our union allows us to focus on making magical experiences for our players instead of worrying about the unstable job industry.”

Designer Ryan Littleton echoed that, pointing to recent job cuts at Microsoft:

“None of us should have to live with that constant worry that we might be let go at the drop of a hat. A union allows us to organize across the industry to make great games and protect the developers who create them from the constant pressures of layoffs, passion tax, and crunch.”

The scale of unionization within Microsoft has been growing steadily. Since July 2024, over 3,500 Microsoft employees have joined the CWA, according to the organization. This includes not just Blizzard teams but also developers at Raven Software, ZeniMax QA, Bethesda, and the Overwatch division. Many of these efforts have been bolstered by Microsoft’s labor neutrality agreement, which gives workers the space to organize without company interference.

CWA Local 6215 President Ron Swaggerty called the Diablo team’s vote another big win for game workers, saying every success “adds momentum” to the broader movement.

The backdrop here is hard to ignore: massive industry layoffs. Earlier this year, Microsoft cut around 9,100 employees, with gaming teams taking a heavy hit. For Diablo developers, unionizing is a way to safeguard their future and have a say in how the work culture evolves.