Actors in the video game industry are striking for AI protections and better working conditions. The SAG-AFTRA union announced that its members are striking in order to negotiate a better deal with major companies like Activision, Disney, EA, and WB Games. The strike is being held to limit the effects of AI use on actors and ensure fair working conditions.
SAG-AFTRA’s game actors have gone on strike and have demands
SAG-AFTRA has been renegotiating the Interactive Media Agreement with major game companies like Activision, Disney, EA, and WB Games since October 2022. However, the union believes that these agreements do not provide enough protections for the use of AI. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drecsher made the union’s position clear by saying, “We will not accept a contract that allows companies to use AI to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough.”
The union is demanding a contract that includes clear, enforceable language to prevent the misuse of AI. This demand aims to prevent unauthorized use of AI by video game actors’ voice recordings and performances. While SAG-AFTRA has taken some steps to address this issue, it wants these protections to be formalized in the next Interactive Media Agreement.
The strike follows a series of strikes in Hollywood last year over pay and AI-related issues. Effective July 26, actors who are members of SAG-AFTRA will not be able to appear in projects for companies that have not signed these agreements. Actors can check if their projects are affected by using the search option on SAG-AFTRA’s website.
You can be the best player in the world without buying a character in Riot Games fighting game 2XKO!
Riot Games' new fighting game 2XKO offers a system where players can become the best player without buying characters.
SAG-AFTRA continues to negotiate with companies including Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions, VoiceWorks Productions, and WB Games. The strike will continue until an Interactive Media Agreement is signed between these companies and SAG-AFTRA. SAG-AFTRA’s strike is an important step in protecting the rights of actors in the video game industry and limiting the use of artificial intelligence. What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
