Video game actor, the company reaches a tentative deal to end nearly a year of strike against AI
Hollywood’s video game performers union has signed temporary contracts with several video game companies, which could end nearly a year of strikes related to the use of artificial intelligence.
The Association of Screen Actors Associations and the Federation of Radio Artists conducted a strike in July 2024 after negotiations with gaming industry giants stopped AI protection.
SAG-AFTRA says the unregulated use of performers in the video game industry poses an “equal or even greater threat” to performers compared to film and television, as the ability to create compelling digital copies can be widely used inexpensively and easily.
Performers worry that unchecked use of AI will provide game makers with a way to replace them—by training AI to copy actors’ voices, or creating digital replicas of their similarity without consent.
“Patience and perseverance have led to a deal that, along with other important gains, defends the AI guardrails of the AI era to defend the livelihoods of performers,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, said in a statement.
The union has been negotiating with an industry negotiating group that includes signature video game companies, including events and electronic arts partitions.
These companies include Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.
The union said the terms of the strike moratorium agreement are expected to be finalized with the company soon.
Union members will continue to strike until an agreement is reached.
A tentative contract agreement still requires approval from the national committee and is approved by union membership. Video game performers had previously had a strike in October 2016 and reached a tentative deal 11 months later in September 2017.
This strike helps ensure that the bonus pay structure for voice actors and performance captures the artist.
