After more than a year and a half of negotiations, the SAG-AFTRA union (Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) announced its first strike at major game companies since 2017.
Image source: Rockstar Games
The strike began today, July 26, and affects actors (including dubbing and motion capture) of companies affiliated with SAG-AFTRA. These include Activision, Disney, EA, Insomniac Games, WB Games, Take-Two and others.
SAG-AFTRA calls the main reason for the protests that the union was unable to reach an agreement with gaming companies on regulating the use of generative artificial intelligence in their products.
SAG-AFTRA has over 160K artists (Image source: SAG-AFTRA)
«We will not agree to an agreement that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our people. Enough. When these corporations offer terms under which members can live and work, we will be ready to negotiate,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher.
According to gaming company representative Audrey Cooling, the parties found common ground on 24 of 25 points (increased wages, additional security measures), and the conditions offered to the union for working with AI are “one of the most profitable in the entertainment industry.”
Image source: Steam
In early 2024, SAG-AFTRA (without asking the actors, apparently) agreed with Replica Studios, which imitates voices using AI. As part of the deal, union members will be able to license their voices to game studios.
A strike by video game actors will almost certainly affect the timing of blockbuster releases from major publishers. But GTA VI, according to Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick, is safe.