In a significant move for the gaming industry, id Software, known for its groundbreaking work on the DOOM franchise, has become the latest Microsoft studio to embrace unionization. Following a labor neutrality agreement signed with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), 165 developers at the Texas-based studio have voted to form a wall-to-wall union. This decision marks a crucial step in the growing movement for better workplace conditions in the gaming world.
Unionization Efforts at id Software
Developers at id Software are rallying together to protect essential elements of their work environment, such as the right to remote work and the responsible use of AI. Chris Hays, lead services programmer and union member, emphasized the importance of these issues in a recent interview. As echoed by producer and union organizer Andrew Willis, the union aims to give developers more control over an industry they are passionate about, ensuring quality work and fair benefits.
Industry-Wide Labor Movement
The momentum for unionization isn’t limited to id Software. Earlier this year, 450 developers from the Diablo series also voted in favor of forming a union, highlighting a growing trend within the industry. In addition, the ZeniMax Workers United QA recently reached a tentative agreement with Microsoft, showcasing the potential challenges ahead for newly-formed unions. Voting for the union is still a major step towards better working conditions for the developers.
With Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the landscape of the video game industry is shifting, providing fertile ground for a labor movement that seeks to redefine the future of gaming work environments.
