Doom Dev id Software Forms A “Wall-To-Wall” Union

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id Software, the Texas-based game studio behind the popular Doom series (including the award-winning The Dark Ages), has formed a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This union includes all of the studio’s employees and aims to protect them from the potential negative impacts of artificial intelligence, as well as secure benefits like remote work options. Microsoft has officially acknowledged the union.

Okay, so big news – we, the 165 members of the id Software workers union, just officially joined the Communications Workers of America! We’re now part of CWA Local 6215, which is based in Richardson, Texas. Our producer, Andrew Willis, said it’s really important for us to stand up for ourselves and fight for better conditions in the games industry right now, and honestly, we all agree. It’s time things changed.

Willis explained that the recent organizing efforts at id Software were essential, emphasizing the need for developers throughout the gaming industry to collectively address changes being imposed by company leaders. He believes forming a union empowers developers to regain control over their industry, ensuring the creation of excellent games by valued workers who receive proper healthcare and have stable, long-term careers, rather than focusing solely on short-term profits.

Senior VFX artist Caroline Pierrot agreed with Willis, saying she was “very proud” to have supported the unionization of id Software. She believes that more unions will give workers more power and help create a better future for the visual effects industry.

Chris Hays, a programmer and member of the organizing committee with Pierrot and Willis, also shared his thoughts. He emphasized that remote work isn’t just a benefit, but essential for employees’ well-being, families, and individual needs. This, along with improved benefits and protections against the negative impacts of AI, is central to the union’s goals. Hays stated the union will ensure that all id Software employees have a say in important decisions.

After the unionization effort succeeded, Hays shared with Aftermath that he’s focused on securing protections for remote work and ensuring AI is used responsibly. However, Willis explained that Microsoft is pushing for AI implementation, though she acknowledged that not all AI technology is problematic.

Willis noted that Microsoft is pushing to integrate AI more widely. However, he believes the company isn’t carefully enough considering how to use it within the game development studio to actually improve game quality or streamline workflows, and therefore it’s unlikely to be helpful in its current implementation.

Honestly, I’m really hopeful about this new union, and so are Wills and the others involved. I was reading an interview with Willis, and they made a great point: more unions could actually help keep developers in the games industry long-term. It’s something I hadn’t fully thought of before. Apparently, a lot of the people making decisions at these studios haven’t actually finished a game themselves, and Willis believes that experience is super important when you’re dealing with something as tricky and fast-moving as game development – you need to understand what it takes to ship a game efficiently.

Willis observed that industry leaders seem to lack practical experience with game development. He noted that many key decision-makers have MBAs from top universities but haven’t actually worked on or even regularly played games, suggesting a disconnect between leadership and the core experience of gaming.

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2025-12-12 19:09