Overwatch developers have formed their own union to fight for a better industry

More than 200 Activision Blizzard developers have formed a union called Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-Cwa (OWGG-CWA). Yesterday, the communication workers of America announced the formation of the new union and said that Microsoft had already recognized and recognized them.

The founding members of the union cited the numerous waves of layoffs that the industry made, working conditions and the success of other recently shaped unions as motivating factors for the OWGG CWA. According to Frank Le Cocq, a VFX artist in the industry, “the massive layoffs in the video game industry and in my own studio became one of the first reasons why I started organizing myself to create a healthier job for everyone.” Le Cocq said that know World of Warcraft The team had successfully navigated. The process was encouraging for his team.

More than 2,600 employees in Microsoft Studios are part of the unions with the CWA. Many of these employees were directly affected by the upheavals within various companies, such as the closure of three different EA ownership studios. Microsoft’s recognition of the union is a good sign, but it does not mean that the group is clear. The union must decide what it wants to push and creating a course can be more difficult if the union consists of workers in various disciplines.

The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild includes developers from design, production, engineering, art, sound and quality assurance. The Zenimax Union, the Le Cocq mentioned, consists exclusively of QA employees.

Jess Castillo, another union member, had to say: “I organize this company, our teams, our teams and the work that we do together. Union entitled to trade union, there is to have a place at the table so that we can work with leadership to build better, more sustainable working conditions. In the end we supported ourselves when we support and thrive.”