MTG Arena Team Announces Vote to Unionize Citing Layoffs and AI Concerns

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Workers are moving to form a union, and Wizards of the Coast has only a few days to address the situation.

On April 27th, developers working on Magic: The Gathering Arena announced they plan to form a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). A strong majority of the development team confirmed their support for this decision.

The MTG Arena Team Wants to Unionize

The newly formed union, called the United Wizards of the Coast–CWA, has asked Wizards of the Coast to voluntarily recognize them by the end of the week. At the same time, workers have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to speed up the process and guarantee a quick decision.

Damien Wilson, a Senior Software Development Engineer working on Magic: The Gathering Arena and a member of the UWOTC-CWA, explained the reasons behind forming the new union. He pointed to recent layoffs, the growing use of AI, and worries about excessive work hours and burnout as key factors. Wilson stated that the union aims to give workers a voice in layoff decisions, ensure accountability at all levels of the company, and secure wages that allow people to live comfortably.

Wilson expressed optimism about the potential for positive change, while also acknowledging the urgent need for it. He explained that the issues aren’t limited to Wizards of the Coast, but reflect a broader trend in American businesses where profits are prioritized over the well-being of the people who create popular products. Wilson believes that unions can help balance this power dynamic and protect the creative work that everyone enjoys.

Neil White, a Senior Software Development Engineer on Magic: The Gathering Arena, recently spoke about a common worry among employees: job security. Having moved to the US after working in other countries, he explained that the practice of ‘at-will’ employment has always been a concern for him and his colleagues. He believes unions are essential for workers to advocate for fair treatment and protect themselves, their coworkers, and the quality of the products they create.

CWA District 7 Vice President Susie McAllister greeted the UWOTC and celebrated their unionization, stating that this announcement marks a significant moment for all workers in the gaming industry. She emphasized that everyone, from video game designers to creators of tabletop games, deserves job security, fair pay, and a voice in their workplace.

Released in 2019, Magic: The Gathering Arena offered a fresh way to play the popular trading card game. Unlike the older Magic: The Gathering Online, Arena works on both phones and computers, making it much easier for players to get into Magic: The Gathering. Since then, it’s become a leading platform for trading card games and now includes almost all major MTG formats, plus some new ones.

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2026-04-28 22:39