The Video Game Actors Guild has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Formosa Interactive, which provides voiceover services for the popular online game “League of Legends,” and declared a strike on Tuesday, the actors' union announced.
SAG-AFTRA members have suspended performance services to League of Legends, a massively multiplayer online battle arena game developed by Riot Games in 2009, which is currently listed as a strike game by the union.
“The grievance was made shortly after the start of the SAG-AFTRA video game strike, following Formosa's attempt to 'cancel' one of the video games targeted by the strike,” the union said in a statement.
“When they were told that wasn't possible, they quietly transferred the game to a shell company and put out a casting notice seeking only 'non-union' talent.”
The union argued that the transfers violated performers' right to strike under labor law.
Formosa has denied SAG-AFTRA's allegations and said it has not violated union rights in any way.
“We believe that a strike over the League of Legends game, which is unrelated to our union's claims, is inappropriate,” the statement said.
The company added that Formosa “stands with developers, publishers, platform owners and talent” to promote ethical game development.
Riot Games said in a statement Tuesday that “League of Legends” has nothing to do with the union's allegations and “never suggested” Formosa should engage with non-union performers.
The American video game developer also said it had not asked Formosa to cancel any games it had previously registered.
Known for its free-to-play structure and team collaboration, “League of Legends” is one of the world's most popular games and one of the largest esports competitions.
The League of Legends World Championship will give teams from around the world the opportunity to compete for millions of dollars that will be shared among its members.
The strike follows recent gains by the union when California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legal protections against artificial intelligence (AI) for Hollywood actors in September and an agreement reached with major record labels including Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment in April.
