Raven Software
Company
Documents about Raven Software
3 Years Later... They Won
After a three-year negotiation process, 19 quality assurance testers at the Raven Software studio have successfully ratified their first union contract with Microsoft.
- Nineteen quality assurance testers at Microsoft’s Raven Software studio ratified their first union contract, concluding a three-year negotiation process that began in 2021.
- The contract mandates a 10 percent wage increase for the unit over a two-year period.
- New labor protections include the elimination of many mandatory overtime instances and a requirement for seven days’ notice for any remaining required overtime.
Activision Blizzard Layoffs Tracker
The Activision Blizzard Layoffs Tracker provides a comprehensive overview of workforce reductions within the company from 2019 through early 2025.
- Between 2019 and early 2025, Activision Blizzard and Microsoft’s gaming divisions eliminated approximately 3,600 positions through multiple rounds of restructuring.
- The January 2024 post-acquisition integration by Microsoft resulted in 1,900 layoffs, followed by an additional 650 cuts in September 2024, primarily impacting corporate and support roles.
- In February 2019, the company cut 800 jobs—roughly 8% of its workforce—despite reporting record annual revenues of $7.26 billion for 2018.
Communications Workers of America File Complaint With National Labor Relations Board on Behalf of Raven Software Workers
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Raven Software, a Wisconsin-based studio owned by Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard.
- The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Activision Blizzard, a subsidiary of Microsoft, regarding the alleged illegal disciplining of a union member at Raven Software.
- The CWA alleges that management violated the National Labor Relations Act by prohibiting a union member from discussing a disciplinary investigation with colleagues or the union, creating a chilling effect on protected labor activities.
- This filing follows a broader August 2024 complaint in which Raven Software union members accused Activision Blizzard and Microsoft of bad-faith bargaining and retaliatory practices, including the discriminatory treatment of employees regarding pay, promotions, and work-from-home policies.
Workers at Activision Blizzard Studio Proletariat Organize
In December 2022, a supermajority of employees at the Boston-based game studio Proletariat announced their intent to unionize, filing for a representation election with the National Labor Relations Board.
- A supermajority of workers at the Boston-based studio Proletariat have filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board, seeking representation through the Proletariat Workers Alliance/CWA.
- If successful, Proletariat would become the third Activision Blizzard studio to unionize, following Raven Software and Blizzard Albany, though it is the first to include the entire studio workforce rather than just QA staff.
- Microsoft, which is in the process of acquiring Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, has signed an agreement with the union to remain neutral regarding organizing efforts.
QA Workers at Activision Blizzard Albany Officially Unionize
Quality assurance workers at the Activision Blizzard studio in Albany, New York, have officially unionized, forming the Game Workers Alliance Albany.
- Quality assurance workers at Activision Blizzard Albany have officially unionized as the Game Workers Alliance Albany following a 14-0 vote.
- The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rejected an appeal from Activision Blizzard management, which had argued that the bargaining unit should be studio-wide rather than limited to QA staff.
- Management challenged four additional votes on the grounds that they were not submitted in time, despite organizers attributing the delays to issues such as mail delivery problems.
Reasons to be Cheerful
The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft for $68.7 billion represents a significant turning point for the industry, offering a potential path toward organizational reform and creative revitalization.
- Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion will result in the immediate departure of CEO Bobby Kotick and a significant restructuring of the company's leadership and corporate culture.
- The acquisition provides an opportunity to move away from the 'hit factory' model that prioritized annual Call of Duty releases, potentially allowing support studios like Raven and Toys for Bob to pursue more creative projects.
- Blizzard is expected to shift away from strict milestone-driven development toward more patient, quality-focused production methods, similar to its historical approach during the development of titles like Overwatch.
Nothing for Money
The primary purpose of this analysis is to challenge the traditional view of video game reviews as consumer-focused buyer’s guides.
- The role of video game reviews has shifted from traditional buyer's guides to expert curation and analysis, remaining vital even as games become accessible via subscription services and free-to-play models.
- Ubisoft has entered the NFT market with the launch of its Quartz platform, facing significant public backlash despite the company's stated goal of energy-efficient implementation.
- Activision employees continue to hold walkouts in protest of recent layoffs within the Raven Software QA team.
