Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble Devs Form New Union at Blizzard
Union talk at Blizzard has been heating up again. This time, the developers behind Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble have joined forces to create their own organized group under the Communication Workers of America.
Where the New Union Comes From
Over 100 Blizzard staff are part of this new unit, including engineers, designers, artists, testers, and producers. They’re now officially represented by the CWA, joining the same network that already includes over 1,900 Blizzard employees across multiple projects.
The push came after Blizzard’s World of Warcraft developers formed the Warcraft Gamemakers Guild last year. That success sparked interest from other teams, and now Diablo and Overwatch developers have also organized in 2025. The Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble crew simply followed the momentum.
Microsoft’s Role and the Changing Landscape
Microsoft’s relaxed stance toward unionizing helped make this possible. When the company bought Activision Blizzard for nearly 69 billion dollars, it signed neutrality agreements allowing workers to organize freely under the CWA. That also covered other studios like ZeniMax, giving employees the confidence to step forward without fear of retaliation.
That deal might not last forever. Reports from Aftermath say the neutrality agreement ends in October 2025, which could make new unions harder to form once the protection expires. If Microsoft doesn’t renew it, future teams may face a tougher road.
What It Means for Blizzard Teams
This new Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble group joins Blizzard’s growing list of organized teams during a time of layoffs and shifting priorities. Blizzard has seen project cuts and slowdowns this year, including reports that Warcraft Rumble development might have been scaled back. The union gives affected workers a stronger voice and stability during an uncertain time.
Final Blurb
Blizzard’s workforce is quietly reshaping the studio’s future from the inside out. Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble developers joining the CWA adds one more line of defense for game creators who just want fair conditions and job security. Turns out, teamwork isn’t just for dungeon runs anymore.
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