Raven Software Workers Ratify First Union Contract at Microsoft, Set New Standards for Video Game Industry

Employees at Raven Software, a renowned video game studio and subsidiary of Microsoft/Activision Blizzard, have unanimously voted to ratify their first union contract as members of the Game Workers Alliance-CWA (GWA-CWA). The historic vote comes after nearly three years of determined bargaining and organizing—an effort hailed as a turning point for the broader video game industry. This news comes on the heels of the ZeniMax Workers United-CWA members securing a contract with Microsoft in June.

A Breakthrough for Raven Software Game Workers

For decades, issues such as job insecurity, unpredictable schedules, and excessive “crunch time” have plagued the video game industry, particularly affecting quality assurance (QA) testers and other frontline employees. Today’s agreement signals a seismic shift. The newly ratified contract between GWA-CWA and Microsoft introduces robust, first-of-its-kind protections:

1. A guaranteed 10-percent wage increase over two years with further raises through merit and promotions—providing much-needed financial stability after an 18-month wage freeze and nearly four years without promotions.

2. The elimination of mandatory “crunch time”: Under the new contract, any overtime must be announced seven days in advance, flexible scheduling is instituted for overtime, and workers are protected from excessive back-to-back overtime weeks. The majority of weeks in a quarter will have no mandatory overtime.

3. Comprehensive workplace security: Provisions include bridging service for temporary/contract employees (giving credit for prior work), transparent job descriptions, fair promotion pathways, enhanced disability accommodations, and layoff protections including severance, recall rights, generous COBRA subsidies, and career transition support.

Voices from the Bargaining Table

Erin Hall, a QA tester who served on the bargaining committee, reflected on the triumph:

“After more than three years of organizing and bargaining, seeing it finally pay off feels incredible. From day one, we made it a priority to include every voice in the room, and the contract we came out with reflects what we need—better pay, real career paths, and protection from burnout. It’s a contract that actually values the work QA does. I’m proud of what we accomplished, and I hope it shows other game workers that organizing works—and it’s worth it.”

Bargaining committee member Autumn Prazuch echoed the sense of victory:

“Going from organizing to sitting across the table from one of the largest tech corporations in the world was a huge learning curve, but we never lost sight of why we were there. We fought hard for raises and job structures that will finally make QA a sustainable career path, and we were able to negotiate limitations on mandatory crunch. Ratifying this contract is a win for game workers everywhere who are ready to take the first step toward a better future.”

Union Response

CWA District 4 Vice President, Linda L. Hinton, lauded the agreement as evidence of the power collective action wields in tech:

“This contract between CWA members and Microsoft is proof that when video game workers organize, they can win lasting changes in the workplace. By reaching an agreement with Microsoft that puts limits on excessive sustained overtime, also known as crunch, these members are tackling one of the most exploitative practices in the industry and setting new standards for quality assurance testers and video game workers overall. We are pleased to welcome these members into the CWA District 4 family.”

The Journey to Unionization

Raven Software’s path to today’s historic contract began in January 2022, when its QA team became the first unit within Activision Blizzard to successfully form a union—just before Microsoft announced its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Raven Software, since its establishment in 1990 and subsequent acquisition by Activision Blizzard in 1997, has played a pivotal role in the Call of Duty franchise and stands among the most influential video game companies in the world.

The achievement at Raven builds on the momentum of other organizing efforts across Microsoft-owned studios, including the recent contract secured by ZeniMax Workers United-CWA earlier in June 2025. The wave of successful organizing reflects a wider movement among tech and gaming workers, who are increasingly demanding sustainable careers, transparent advancement, and a seat at the table for decisions that shape their professional futures.

CODE-CWA and the Communications Workers of America

The Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA), part of the Communications Workers of America, has been at the forefront of efforts to organize tech, game, and digital workers across the United States and Canada. Through its network of worker-organizers, CODE-CWA is building power to ensure a fair and just future for tech workers everywhere.

The Communications Workers of America (CWA), representing hundreds of thousands across telecommunications, media, education, airlines, public service, manufacturing, and tech, has thrown its considerable organizational weight behind the push for justice in digital workplaces.

Looking Forward

In January 2022, GWA-CWA became the first unit within Activision Blizzard to form a union, shortly before Microsoft announced plans to acquire the company. Since its founding in 1990, Raven Software has become one of the most exclusive video game companies. The studio, which was acquired by Activision Blizzard in 1997, is responsible for the Call of Duty series, which the Raven QA team predominantly works on.

With contract provisions in place protecting pay, job structure, and work-life balance, their employees are set to become a model for the broader industry. As developers, artists, designers, and QA testers nationwide witness the tangible results of unionization and collective bargaining at one of gaming’s biggest studios, today’s news may well represent the tipping point for systemic change across the sector.