The storytellers behind Blizzard’s Story and Franchise Improvement group have determined to unionize. Following the outcomes of a union-authorization vote, Blizzard’s SFD will now be part of the Communications Employees of America in Orange County, California. Moreover, Microsoft has voluntarily acknowledged the SFD group’s union vote.
There have been two earlier unionization votes at Blizzard previously yr. In July 2024, the builders behind World of Warcraft voted to unionize and joined CWA. The Overwatch 2 group handed an analogous vote in Might 2025, and in addition joined CWA.
One of many SFD union organizers, Buddy Fisk, shared a statement through CWA citing the more and more frequent layoffs within the online game business as a driving power behind this vote.
“After greater than a decade working at Blizzard, I’ve seen all of the highs and lows,” stated Fisk. “For years, Blizzard has been a spot the place folks may construct their careers and keep for many years, however that stability’s been fading. With a union, we’re capable of protect what makes this place particular, safe actual transparency in how selections are made, and ensure insurance policies are utilized pretty to everybody.”
In the course of the newest spherical of layoffs at Microsoft final month, Blizzard misplaced many members of the group devoted to the cell recreation Warcraft Rumble. Throughout Microsoft as an entire, roughly 9,000 jobs had been misplaced.
Earlier this month, Diablo basic supervisor Rod Fergusson introduced his departure from Blizzard after spending half a decade with the corporate. Blizzard has additionally signaled some modifications to the way in which it interacts with Diablo 4 followers in Campfire Chats. Moreover, Blizzard president Johanna Faries hinted that extra TV and films primarily based on the studio’s franchises could finally be made.