Video game performers to go on strike

After a year and a half of negotiations, SAG-AFTRA has called a strike of all video game work produced under the union’s Interactive Media Agreement. The strike goes into effect July 26th at 12:01AM and impacts all SAG-AFTRA actors, voice actors, and motion capture actors and involves companies like Activision Blizzard, EA, Insomniac Games, WB Games, and more. According to SAG-AFTRA’s press release, the union and video game companies could not come to an agreement regarding AI protections.

“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members,” said SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher in the press release. “When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate.”

In a statement to The Verge, Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game producers involved in the negotiations, wrote:

We are disappointed the union has chosen to walk away when we are so close to a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations. We have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions. Our offer is directly responsive to SAG-AFTRA’s concerns and extends meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the IMA. These terms are among the strongest in the entertainment industry.

SAG-AFTRA’s website has a lengthy list of prohibited activities, including singing, acting, dancing, performing motion capture, rehearsals, auditions, and more. Advertising for struck work is also prohibited, which would potentially impact games being promoted at San Diego Comic-Con, but SAG-AFTRA included a clause explaining games at SDCC would be exempt from strike action.

In September of last year, SAG-AFTRA voted to authorize a strike around the same time the Hollywood actors and writers strikes were winding down. As with those strikes, the use of AI was one of the major sticking points with concerns the technology could be used to replace workers. SAG-AFTRA has already made some deals regarding the use of AI in video game production, signing an agreement with AI voice company Replica Studios. The agreement permits SAG-AFTRA members to work exclusively with Replica to create digital replications of their voice that can then be licensed out with agreements in place for length of use and compensation.