id Software Developers Form Historic Wall-to-Wall Union, Reshaping the Video Game Industry

The Slayer has entered the chat, and he brought collective bargaining rights with him.

In a massive move to form a union in the video game industry, the developers behind the legendary Doom and Quake franchises have officially organized. id Software is now home to a “wall-to-wall” union, a significant milestone that sees 165 developers, artists, and engineers joining forces under the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This isn’t just a small pocket of QA testers, this is the whole squad.

We are talking about the studio that practically invented the first-person shooter. Seeing them take a stand like this sends a shockwave through the industry louder than a BFG blast.

A Historic “Wall-to-Wall” Union Victory

The term “wall-to-wall” is crucial here. In the past few years, we have seen a surge of unionization efforts across the gaming landscape, but many have been segmented by department. Often, it is the quality assurance teams leading the charge. While those victories are vital, id Software’s move is different. By forming a union that encompasses diverse roles across the entire studio, they are setting a new precedent for how widespread labor organization can be in AAA development.

According to the CWA, the vote was a “strong majority.” It seems the folks in Richardson, Texas, were ready to lock and load on their labor rights.

Because of a labor neutrality agreement struck back in 2022, Microsoft has already recognized the union. There was no busting, no prolonged legal battles, and no corporate stalling tactics. Just a vote and a handshake. It is a refreshing change of pace compared to the hostility we have seen from other major publishers in recent years.

Why the Push for a Union Now?

You might be wondering why a studio owned by Microsoft, which generally has deeper pockets than most, feels the need to organize. The answer lies in the same anxieties plaguing the rest of the tech world: return-to-office (RTO) mandates and the looming specter of artificial intelligence.

Chris Hays, a lead services programmer at id Software, put it bluntly. He noted that remote work isn’t just a fun perk for people who want to work in their pajamas.

“It’s a necessity for our health, our families, and our access needs,” Hays said. “RTO policies should not be handed down from executives with no consideration for accessibility or our well-being.”

It is a sentiment that rings true for thousands of devs who found their groove working from home, only to be dragged back to cubicles by executives who often don’t even live in the same state.

Fighting the AI Invasion

Then there is the AI of it all. We aren’t talking about the enemy AI that makes imps throw fireballs at you. We are talking about Generative AI.

There is a genuine fear across the creative industries that executives will try to cut corners by replacing human talent with algorithms. Andrew Willis, a producer at id Software and a member of the organizing committee, highlighted this concern. He pointed out that it is vital for developers to unite to push back on unilateral changes handed down from the top.

The union aims to secure protections regarding the “responsible use of AI,” ensuring that the tools are used to assist developers, not replace them.

Contextualizing the Win Amidst Industry Chaos

It is impossible to look at this victory without remembering the absolute bloodbath the industry suffered over the last two years. Microsoft laid off 1,900 employees across its gaming division earlier this year. We lost Arkane Austin, the team behind Prey and Redfall, and Tango Gameworks, the brilliant minds behind Hi-Fi Rush.

The fear of job security is real. A union provides a layer of armor against the capricious nature of corporate restructuring. It gives workers a seat at the table when severance and layoffs are being discussed, rather than leaving them to find out they lost their jobs via a mass email.

What This Means for Doom: The Dark Ages

So, what does this mean for the upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages? Hopefully, it means a better game made by happier, more secure people.

Crunch culture has long been the dark secret of game development, often treated as a necessary evil to ship a AAA title. Organized labor is the strongest weapon developers have to fight against burnout. If the team making the game is well-rested, fairly paid, and secure in their employment, the final product is almost always better for it.

Solidarity to the team at id Software. May your frame rates be high and your collective bargaining power be higher.