Developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena Announce Unionization Plans

A significant majority of developers working on Magic: The Gathering Arena have come forward with plans to form a union in collaboration with the Communications Workers of America. This move marks the first of its kind at Wizards of the Coast, which is owned by Hasbro. According to Valentine Powell, a senior software engineer, the anticipated 100-member union boasts the highest level of commitment from eligible individuals he has ever seen in a unionization effort. The decision to unionize was sparked by two rounds of mass layoffs in 2023 that affected 2,000 employees across Hasbro, followed by another 3% facing redundancies in 2025. The return-to-office mandates also played a role in accelerating the unionization process. In a letter addressed to management, the workers outlined their key concerns, including protection against layoffs, remote work policies, safeguards for generative AI, an end to mandatory crunch time, and increased transparency and equity. Additional concerns included clearly defined roles and career progression, ownership of personal projects, and a focus on sustainable game development. The union, UWOTC-CWA, has requested that management recognize the union by the end of the week and has filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board. Damien Wilson, a senior software development engineer and member of UWOTC-CWA, emphasized the need for a say in layoffs, accountability, and a living wage. He noted that this issue extends beyond Wizards of the Coast, as it reflects the broader structure of most American workplaces, where investor profit often takes precedence over the well-being of employees. Wilson believes that unions can provide the necessary counterbalance to protect the interests of workers. Susie McAllister, vice president of CWA District 7, views the union announcement as a significant milestone not only for the workers involved but also for the games industry as a whole. She stressed that every worker deserves job security, fair compensation, and a seat at the table, regardless of whether they are designing digital worlds or crafting tabletop experiences. McAllister expressed her commitment to ensuring that the people who bring these games to life are treated with dignity and respect, and she is honored to stand with the union members as they take this historic step towards union representation.