SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union that represents voice and motion-capture performers in the video game industry, announced on Friday that it had begun a strike against major gaming companies.
summary Reports The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Performers (SAG-AFTRA)’s formal declaration of a strike against video game companies marks a significant milestone in the ongoing debate over AI in the entertainment industry. The decision comes after months of stalled negotiations over a new labor contract, with AI protections emerging as a key issue.
The strike affects gaming giants Activision, Electronic Arts (EA), Warner Bros. Games, Disney, and Take-Two Interactive, as well as voiceover production companies Formosa Interactive and Voiceworks Productions. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher emphasized the union’s position, saying, “We will not agree to contracts that allow companies to misuse AI to the detriment of our members.”
While unions report they have reached agreement on most elements of the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA), the use of AI to recreate performers’ voices and likenesses remains an open question — a concern that is especially pressing for voice actors who rely heavily on video game work to make their income.
The timing of the strike announcement coincides with San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2024, and SAG-AFTRA made an exception for performers scheduled to appear at the event to discuss video game projects. The exception is intended to allow members time to understand the full scope of the strike orders and rules and to share their message widely.
In response to the strike announcement, a spokesperson for the video game production company expressed disappointment, saying that agreement had been reached on 24 of the 25 proposals. The production company’s proposals reportedly include wage increases, additional safety regulations, and AI protections calling for consent and fair compensation for performers working under the IMA.
SAG-AFTRA’s decision to strike comes nearly a year after union members authorized a 118-day TV and Theater Contract Strike in 2023. The union argues that despite the huge profits the video game industry makes, performers deserve the same basic protections as the film, TV, streaming and music industries.
To mitigate the impact to employment opportunities, SAG-AFTRA will offer interim agreements to game studios that wish to hire members. These agreements will contain the same terms last offered to IMA signatories, including AI protections important to our members.
This marks the second SAG-AFTRA video game strike in recent years, following an 11-month strike over residual benefits from 2016 to 2017. It is unclear how long the current strike will last, but judging by past examples, it could be a drawn-out negotiation process.
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Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering free speech and online censorship.
