Double Fine Productions Forms Union with CWA

Psychonauts and Kiln developer Double Fine Productions has laid the groundwork to become the latest Microsoft studio to form a union.

Double Fine Productions, known for titles like Psychonauts and Kiln, has initiated the process to establish a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The San Francisco-based studio filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board on May 7, 2026. This move follows similar unionization efforts in the gaming industry, including Blizzard Entertainment and id Software.

The union at Double Fine will encompass 42 regular part-time and full-time employees, aiming to uphold the studio's dedication to creativity, diversity, inclusion, and worker well-being. This decision comes after Microsoft's acquisition of Double Fine in 2019 and amidst a period of change within the company.

Double Fine's portfolio includes renowned games like Psychonauts, Brutal Legend, and Broken Age. Their latest release, Kiln, a multiplayer brawler, debuted on April 23, 2026. The studio's unionization coincides with reports of restructuring and leadership transitions at Microsoft, signaling a broader shift within the gaming giant.