A supermajority of game developers behind Hasbro subsidiary Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering Arena (pictured) video game have voted to form a union with Communications Workers of America (CWA). 

This is the first unionization effort at Washington state-based Wizards of the Coast, the company behind the big brands Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. 

The workers are unionizing in order to secure better wages and stronger protections amid concerns about layoffs, the use of generative AI and mandatory crunch time. “At Wizards, we’re organizing for a say in layoffs, accountability that runs up and down the chain, and a living wage that actually lets people build a life,” said UWOTC-CWA member Damien Wilson, a senior software development engineer for Magic: The Gathering Arena. 

Management has until the end of this week to voluntarily recognize the union. The workers have also filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board. 

When this story was originally published, Hasbro had not responded to Kidscreen‘s request for comment. Since then a Wizards of the Coast spokesperson has told Kidscreen that the company is reviewing the filing. “Our employees are the lifeblood of what makes us great, and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every person feels heard, valued, and supported.,” the spokesperson said. “We believe we have a strong connection with everyone at Wizards of the Coast and that direct relationship with our employees is essential to how we work together…We appreciate hearing about the needs and interests of our employees through this filing, and will respond through the appropriate process.”

The unionization effort comes shortly after Hasbro touted the Wizards of the Coast and digital gaming segment’s growth as one of the strongest parts of its business in both its preliminary Q1 2026 and its Q4 2025 financial reports. Generating US$2.18 billion in revenue, up 45% from the year before, Wizards of the Coast and digital gaming was the company’s only segment that grew last year, according to its Q4 2025 report. It was also the strongest year to date for Magic: The Gathering, with revenue growing 59% to US$1.7 billion. 

But that success doesn’t seem to be translating to the workers, according to a release the CWA shared on Tuesday. The staffers made their feelings clear in the letter they sent to management: “We know the workers who make the game can and should be treated better, and our aim is to show that to the world through our union efforts.”

Wizards of the Coast is just the latest business in the tabletop roleplaying games sector to see an effort to unionize, and there’s a growing movement from the sector toward unions, according to the CWA. In June 2023, employees of Paizo (the Starfinder and Pathfinder roleplaying games) ratified their first contract.

Unionization efforts have also been on the rise in the video game industry. More than 4,000 workers have organized over the past few years for the Campaign to Organize Digital Employees supporting union efforts. One indie studio, Heart Machine (Hyper Light Drifter) secured voluntary recognition for their union just last month. 

“Today’s union announcement is a milestone not just for these workers but for the games industry as a whole,” said CWA District 7 VP Susie McAllister. “Whether someone is designing digital worlds or crafting tabletop experiences, every worker deserves job security, fair compensation and a seat at the table.” 

The CWA represents workers in 1,200 chartered local unions, with its members working in communications, information, broadcast, cable TV, public service and tech industries, among others. The CWA has collective bargaining agreements with employees of broadcasters like NBC and ABC TV networks and the CBC in Canada, according to the org. 

Image courtesy of Hasbro. 

Updated April 30, 2026, 9:02 a.m. ET with quote from Wizards of the Coast spokesperson.