id Software, the studio behind Doom, has voted in favor of forming a “wall-to-wall” union, a structure that covers every employee across the company. While not unanimous, a majority supported the unionization effort, signaling a notable shift in the video game industry’s labor landscape.
The new union will partner with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which has previously worked with parent company ZeniMax on union initiatives. Microsoft, ZeniMax’s owner, has already recognized the effort, following a labor neutrality agreement made last year with CWA and ZeniMax employees.
“The wall-to-wall organizing effort at id Software was much needed; it’s incredibly important that developers across the industry unite to push back on all the unilateral workplace changes that are being handed down from industry executives,” said Andrew Willis, id Software producer and CWA committee member.
Key priorities for the union include protecting remote work policies. “Remote work isn’t a perk. It’s a necessity for our health, our families, and our access needs,” said Chris Hays, Lead Services Programmer at id Software. Hays also emphasized the importance of worker protections regarding the “responsible use of AI” in game development.
Workers began organizing roughly 18 months ago, a process accelerated by the mid-year closure of several Bethesda studios by Microsoft. CWA Local 6215 President Ron Swaggerty expressed optimism about negotiations, stating, “We look forward to sitting across the table from Microsoft to negotiate a contract that reflects the skill, creativity, and dedication these workers bring to every project.”
id Software’s latest title, Doom: The Dark Ages, recently won an accessibility award at The Game Awards, highlighting the studio’s commitment to inclusive gaming. The unionization marks a significant moment for the gaming industry, signaling growing momentum for labor rights in a sector historically resistant to organized labor.
This move is part of a broader trend in tech and gaming, where employees increasingly challenge top-down executive decisions and advocate for transparency, inclusion, and worker protections.
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