Summary

  • Developers behind the Overwatch franchise at Activision Blizzard have unionised.
  • They are the latest group of developers to do so, after the team behind World of Warcraft made a similar move last summer.
  • The union, known as the Overwatch Gamemakers Guild, comprises nearly 200 workers across multiple disciplines.
  • It has been formed under the umbrella of the Communications Workers of America.
  • The union’s unit is pushing for improved job security, wages and protection against layoffs.
  • Workers in the videogame industry have been criticising Activision for a long time over issues such as lengthy crunch periods and poor working conditions.
  • The company was also hit with a lawsuit over sexual harassment and discrimination in 2021, which it settled for $54m earlier this year.

By Jess Weatherbed

Original Article