Blizzard's unionized workforce has ratified a contract covering approximately 1,900 employees after more than two years of negotiations with Microsoft.

The agreement consolidates multiple smaller bargaining units into three larger groups spanning World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Hearthstone, QA, platform teams, customer support, and story development. Key provisions include mandatory bargaining before AI tools can materially affect union work, a 60-day layoff notice or pay in lieu, one week of severance per six months of service plus a minimum four weeks, and 14 months of recall rights across any qualified Blizzard unit—an industry first according to reports.

Additional terms cover name crediting on shipped games, hybrid and remote work procedures, and wage floors ranging from roughly $51,840 to $70,400 depending on location, with some workers receiving raises up to 34 percent. The contract runs four to five years and includes successorship protections if the studio changes ownership. It arrives ahead of BlizzCon and shortly after Microsoft announced broader Xbox layoffs.