Overwatch 2 Team Joins Microsoft’s Unionization Efforts

Blizzard employees have weathered years of instability—between Activision’s controversies, the massive Microsoft merger, and waves of layoffs, it’s no surprise that many remaining staff are approaching their roles with caution.

In this environment, unions have become more than just a talking point—they’re a necessary safeguard.

That’s why it comes as little surprise that developers behind Overwatch 2 have officially begun the process of unionizing. Unlike previous efforts that focused mainly on QA teams, this movement includes around 200 employees across multiple departments involved in the game’s development.

Overwatch 2 Team Unites Across Departments for Collective Bargaining Effort

The announcement came via a statement from the Communications Workers of America (CWA), shared with Kotaku. The CWA confirmed that Overwatch 2 developers are now “the latest group of video game workers at Microsoft-owned studios to establish a comprehensive union.” The majority of the team has either filled out union authorization cards or signaled support through an online platform.

But forming a union is only the beginning—the real challenge lies in negotiating a fair contract. Even with Microsoft’s labor neutrality agreement in place, some of the company’s earlier unionized teams are still in talks years after their formation.

Whether the Overwatch 2 team can break that cycle remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the developers are ready to stand together for lasting change.