TLDR
- Video game actors began a strike on July 26, 2024 due to failed contract negotiations with game publishers.
- The main dispute is over AI protections for different types of performers in video games.
- The strike affects major companies like Activision, EA, Epic Games, and Warner Bros. Games.
- Both sides say they’re open to resuming talks, but disagree on the scope of AI protections needed.
- This follows a previous 11-month video game actor strike in 2016-2017.
The video game industry is facing a new challenge as actors represented by SAG-AFTRA began a strike on July 26, 2024. The work stoppage comes after negotiations between the union and video game publishers failed to reach an agreement on a new contract for interactive media work.
At the heart of the dispute are concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video game production. SAG-AFTRA, which represents around 160,000 performers across various entertainment fields, is seeking stronger protections for its members against potential misuse of AI technology.
The union’s chief contract officer, Ray Rodriguez, explained that the main sticking point is which types of performers would be covered by AI protections.
“Up until Wednesday of last week, the producers’ position was explicit that they were only interested in offering these protections to voice performers and not to on-camera performers,” Rodriguez stated.
This distinction is crucial in the video game industry, which employs not only voice actors but also stunt performers, motion capture artists, and other specialties. The union argues that all these roles need protection from potential AI replication or replacement.
The strike affects major players in the gaming world, including Activision, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, and Warner Bros. Games. However, due to existing agreements, some games already in production may not be impacted.
For their part, the video game companies insist they’ve offered fair terms. A spokesperson for the game producers said,
“We have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions. Our offer… extends meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers.”
The union disagrees, arguing that the proposed protections have too many loopholes. Andi Norris, a member of SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee, explained that the companies’ offer would only protect performers if their digital replicas were identifiable as them. This could exclude many video game performances where actors’ likenesses aren’t directly used.
This isn’t the first time video game actors have gone on strike. A previous work stoppage in 2016 lasted 11 months and resulted in improved pay rates and safety measures for performers.
As the current strike continues, both sides say they’re open to returning to the negotiating table. “Negotiations don’t stop just because you’re on strike,” Rodriguez noted. “We’re ready, willing, and able to continue bargaining here, and I hope it will happen sooner rather than later.”
The impact of the strike on game development timelines remains uncertain. While some projects may be exempt due to prior agreements, new games could face delays if the dispute drags on. The final resolution of this strike could have significant implications for how AI is used in video game production going forward.
