D&D and Magic: The Gathering Devs Unionize, Demand AI Protections

What if the people making your favorite card games and tabletop adventures decided they'd had enough? That's exactly what's happening at Wizards of the Coast.

The developers behind Dungeons & Dragons, D&D Beyond, Magic: The Gathering, and Duel Masters have officially unionized. They're joining United Wizards of the Coast - CWA, a union supported by the Communication Workers of America. This isn't a sudden move—back in April, the team behind Magic: The Gathering Arena first announced their intent to unionize under the same banner. Now, the workers behind the tabletop giants are following suit.

So what's driving this? Among their demands are fair wages, reliable and easily accessible healthcare, and remote work protections. But there's one issue that stands out: AI. The union is calling for "protection against the encroachment of AI." They claim that Wizards of the Coast leadership has pushed for the adoption of LLMs and generative AI "without regard for the desires of our teams." In their words, "This has to stop; our teams deserve a robust and enforceable AI policy that aligns with our goals and values."

It's a familiar story in the gaming industry. Just look at Blizzard, where a union recently won a historic contract protecting over 1,900 workers on World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch. That victory came even as Microsoft planned another 1,600 layoffs. Clearly, workers are increasingly organizing to have a say in their working conditions—and in how technology like AI is used.

Wizards of the Coast now has until October 13 to respond to the union's request for voluntary recognition. The company didn't respond to a similar deadline when the MTG Arena devs first announced their intent, but the union still won its election in June. If Wizards refuses to voluntarily recognize the union this time, the decision will go to an election among workers and the National Labor Relations Board. The union has already filed an election petition with the NLRB.

In the meantime, the union is asking fans to support them by signing an online petition. It's a chance for players to show solidarity with the people who create the games they love. Whether you're a D&D dungeon master or a Magic: The Gathering planeswalker, this affects the future of your favorite pastimes.

Will you be signing the petition? What do you think about AI's role in game development? Let us know in the comments!