Published on April 28, 2026
Developers at Wizards of the Coast, known for their work on Magic: The Gathering Arena, enjoyed relative stability in a thriving gaming landscape. However, recent layoffs at parent company Hasbro have shaken this environment. The turmoil has prompted a significant shift as employees seek collective representation.
Workers have now announced their intent to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and form a union called United Wizards of the Coast (UWOTC-CWA). This step followed a growing discontent among employees over layoffs and concerns about remote work policies. A formal election is on the horizon, contingent on Hasbro’s decision to recognize the union voluntarily 1st.
Damien Wilson, a senior software engineer at Wizards, emphasized the need for greater accountability, protection against layoffs, and living wages. The urgency stems from a series of layoffs that affected around 2,000 employees earlier this year. Developers are also advocating for safeguards surrounding generative AI and mandatory crunch periods, highlighting the necessity of higher workplace transparency.
This move aligns with broader labor trends within the gaming industry, where unionization efforts have surged. Recent initiatives have seen employees from notable companies, including Blizzard and ID Software, successfully form unions. With over 4,000 workers mobilizing under the CWA’s Campaign to Organize Digital Employees, the push for equitable treatment and improved working conditions is gaining momentum across the sector.
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