Another major game studio has entered the realm of unionization.
While the Game Awards 2024 was bustling with excitement and revelries, ZeniMax Online Studios, the minds behind The Elder Scrolls Online, made waves by announcing their unionization with the Communication Workers of America (CWA), under the banner of ZOS-United CWA. According to the press release, a striking “overwhelming majority” of workers backed the move by signing union authorization cards or voting through a secure portal. The newly formed union encompasses 461 members throughout the United States, including web developers, engineers, and artists.
“I’m incredibly proud of my coworkers at ZeniMax Online Studios who are stepping into the union ring alongside thousands of other video game workers,” shared John Hartzell, the principal economy designer and proud member of ZOS United-CWA. “No matter your company, your role, or your background, unions strive to bring positive changes for everyone.”
ZeniMax Online Studios, with its regional hubs in the U.S. and Hungary, ranks among the larger entities within the expansive Xbox family. This talented team consistently delivers new chapters of The Elder Scrolls Online each year and is currently developing a brand-new IP using an innovative engine.
Microsoft’s response to the unionization was positive, as the company voluntarily recognized the union, aligning with its commitment to staying neutral in employee unionization efforts, a stance solidified after an agreement with the CWA.
### Unionization is Gaining Momentum at Microsoft Gaming
Recent years have seen Microsoft shedding 2,500 jobs across its gaming divisions, leading to the rise of unions across various departments. From ZeniMax quality assurance (QA) and Activision Central QA to the World of Warcraft team at Blizzard Entertainment, and all corners of Bethesda Game Studios, unions are becoming a common sight. As ZeniMax Online Studios joins this growing list, thousands of workers under Microsoft Gaming now stand united.
“Banding together to form a union is crucial for laying the groundwork for a brighter future,” remarked Alyssa Gobelle, a senior motion graphics artist and member of ZOS United-CWA. “This step allows us to safeguard against dismissals and workplace exploitation and provides added support beyond what current policies offer. At ZeniMax, unions are a welcomed necessity.”
ZeniMax QA employees recently skipped work for a day, highlighting their dissatisfaction with Microsoft’s sluggishness in negotiating remote work conditions and outsourcing strategies. Despite ongoing good-faith discussions on other fronts, union members felt compelled to take action to catch Microsoft’s attention on these pressing issues.
Personally, seeing more unions crop up in the gaming industry is heartening. They aren’t a cure-all, but there’s no doubt that unions significantly aid workers. They offer a platform for tackling conflicts, finding resolutions, and fostering a supportive community — as evidenced by the expanding union network across Xbox studios.
