Workers at Activision Blizzard Studio Proletariat Organize

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
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.
02
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.
03
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.
04
Activision Blizzard has historically opposed unionization efforts across its studios and has not yet issued a public statement regarding whether it will recognize the Proletariat union.
05
The Proletariat Workers Alliance is seeking improvements in areas including remote work options, compensation transparency, mandatory overtime policies, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
06
Activision Blizzard acquired the 100-employee studio Proletariat in July 2022 to assist in the development of its flagship MMO, World of Warcraft.

Summary

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. By aligning with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) under the name Proletariat Workers Alliance, the staff seeks to address workplace concerns including compensation transparency, mandatory overtime policies, remote work flexibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

This development marks a significant shift within the Activision Blizzard ecosystem, as it represents the first instance where an entire studio—rather than just a specific department like quality assurance—has moved to organize. If successful, Proletariat would join Raven Software and Blizzard Albany as the third unionized studio under the Activision Blizzard umbrella. While Activision Blizzard has historically opposed such organizing efforts, the potential acquisition of the company by Microsoft introduces a unique dynamic; Microsoft has entered into a labor neutrality agreement with the CWA, pledging not to interfere with these unionization efforts.

Proletariat, a 100-employee studio acquired by Activision Blizzard in July 2022 to support the development of World of Warcraft, is currently navigating this transition while winding down its previous title, Spellbreak. The move reflects a broader trend of labor activism within the gaming industry, as workers increasingly leverage collective bargaining to secure standardized professional resources and accountability regarding workplace culture and career advancement.