Magic: The Gathering Arena Developers Move to Unionize, Citing AI, Layoffs, and Remote Work Concerns

Video game workers face growing challenges, from layoffs and return-to-office policies to AI-driven concerns about creativity and job security. Now, some are taking collective action. On April 27, developers behind the digital collectible card game Magic: The Gathering Arena announced their intent to form a union affiliated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

The group, operating under the name United Wizards of the Coast – CWA (UWOTC-CWA), represents over 100 employees at Wizards of the Coast (WOTC), a division of Hasbro. The bargaining unit includes game designers, programmers, producers, and artists.

According to the group, a supermajority of eligible Arena workers expressed support for unionization a week prior to the announcement. UWOTC-CWA has since notified WOTC leadership, urging voluntary recognition of the union.

“At Wizards, we’re organizing for a say in layoffs, accountability that runs up and down the chain, and a living wage that actually lets people build a life. I’m hopeful about what we can build here and being clear-eyed about why it’s necessary.”

Damien Wilson, Senior Software Development Engineer for Magic: The Gathering Arena and UWOTC-CWA member

If WOTC does not voluntarily recognize the union, UWOTC-CWA has filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The group stated it will withdraw the petition if recognition is confirmed by the end of the business day on May 1.

“We would greatly prefer to allow the company to willingly engage with us as we proceed however we are filing for an election petition as well to ensure a timely resolution for certifying our union. Should you agree to voluntary recognition in principle, we are happy to coordinate a third-party card check verification of our super majority support in order to finalize a voluntary recognition agreement.”

The union’s key demands include protections against generative AI, layoffs, and remote work disruptions. These issues reflect recent challenges faced by employees, including:

• Approximately 30 layoffs at WOTC last year.
• 1,000 layoffs across Hasbro in 2023.
• Return-to-office mandates forcing remote workers to relocate to Renton, Washington or risk termination.

UWOTC-CWA joins a broader movement in the gaming industry. In 2023, the United Videogame Workers-CWA launched as an industry-wide union, now representing over 600 members in the US and Canada.

“We are building the game industry we want to see in the world.”