Video game performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have announced they will go on strike starting today over a variety of issues, including the use of artificial intelligence. The strike could lead to the postponement of several games.
Last September, SAG-AFTRA voted in favor of a strike because they were unable to reach new interactive media deals with companies including Disney, Activision, and EA over increased wages and the use of artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence is one of the biggest issues facing SAG-AFTRA, as many companies use real-life performances from actors to train AI models and then use those models to replace those actors. But in many cases, performers don’t realize this is happening.
“The video game industry generates billions of dollars in profits every year. The driving force behind its success are the creative people who design and make these games,” Crabtree-Ireland said in an official statement from SAG-AFTRA. “This includes SAG-AFTRA members who bring memorable and beloved gaming characters to life, who deserve and demand the same basic protections as film, television, streaming and music performers: fair pay and artificial intelligence informed consent rights using their faces, voices and bodies.
It’s important to note that SAG-AFTRA is not seeking to end the use of artificial intelligence entirely, but rather wants performers to consent to their performances being used to train artificial intelligence and to be compensated for it. It’s part of a larger, ongoing debate over how companies can and do train their artificial intelligence models using material created by artists, musicians, filmmakers, etc., without having access to the original creators. license.
“Eighteen months of negotiations have shown us that our employer is not interested in fair and reasonable protection of artificial intelligence, but in blatant exploitation. We reject this model─we will not leave any of our members behind, nor There will be no waiting for adequate protections. We look forward to working with the team on our interim and independent contracts that provide AI transparency, consent, and compensation for all performers and continuing to work with this when they are ready to join our world. The negotiating team negotiated in good faith, said Sarah Elmaleh, chair of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee.
Companies currently known to be affected by the strike are: Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc. , VoiceWorks Productions Inc. and WB Games Inc.
Given the size of these companies, this strike could have a huge impact on many upcoming releases. However, in this case, existing contracts will be respected, meaning if the game already has a contract for voice work, it will continue. Only the new contract will come into effect.
There has been some talk that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be affected by the strike, but this appears to be a misunderstanding stemming from reports claiming the game “could” be affected. Of course, there could be issues with GTA 6 if there’s more voice work that needs to be done that hasn’t been agreed upon in the contract, but that’s pure speculation.
Of course, these companies could also simply hire performers who are not members of SAG-AFTRA.
There may be no shortage of such people, as quite a few voice actors and performers don’t support SAG-AFTRA, especially after SAG-AFTRA made its controversial decision earlier this year to strike a deal with artificial intelligence voice company Replica. At the time, SAG-AFTRA said the deal was “approved by affected members of the union’s voiceover performers community,” but multiple union members claimed they were neither informed nor asked about the deal.
“As far as I know, no one in our community recognizes this. Gaming has been my primary livelihood for many years. Who are you referring to?” voice actor Steve Blum said at the time.
A spokesperson for Interactive Media Agreement responded to the strike.
Audrey Cooling said in a statement shared with Eurogamer: “We are disappointed that the union chose to walk away when we were so close to an agreement and we remain prepared to resume negotiations.”
“We have found common ground on 24 of the 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions. Our proposals directly respond to SAG-AFTRA’s concerns and expand meaningful AI protections , including requiring consent and fair compensation for all performers working under the IMA. These terms are among the most powerful in the entertainment industry.