By Sagar V. Mankar SAG-AFTRA, a union representing over 160,000 actors and performers, has announced a strike for video game actors.
More than 2,500 video game performers, including voice actors and motion capture artists, are joining forces to demand better protection against artificial intelligence (AI) in the gaming industry.
This action comes after nearly two years of negotiations with major video game companies, including industry giants like Activision, Electronic Arts, Insomniac Games, Take-Two Productions, and WB Games.
These companies are at the forefront of game development and publishing, making this strike a significant event in the industry.
Will Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and GTA 6 be delayed?
While the strike’s announcement may have caused initial concern among gamers, it’s important to note that not all projects will be affected.
Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the publishers involved, clarified (in Kotaku Report) that games in development before September 2023 are exempt from the strike.
This means highly anticipated titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) will proceed as planned.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is scheduled for release on October 25, 2024, while Grand Theft Auto VI is set for a 2025 release.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. Unannounced games and future projects might face some bumps in the road. For instance, Insomniac’s Wolverine game, set for 2026, could feel the impact of this strike.
The Developers and publishers who wish to work with SAG-AFTRA actors during this period will need to sign new, SAG-AFTRA-approved interim agreements that “offer critical A.I. protections for members.”
As for live-service games, there’s a 60-day grace period where work can continue for now.
What’s the Main Issue Behind the SAG-AFTRA Strike?
On a broader scale, the strike that started in July 2023, has significantly impacted film and television productions throughout the industry, resulting in delays for many projects, including popular ones like Deadpool and Wolverine. The strike has also extended to the video gaming sector.
The core issues of the strike include fair compensation, streaming residuals, AI protections, and working conditions.
While negotiations with Hollywood studios are carried on, SAG-AFTRA is also engaged in separate discussions with major video game companies.
The two sides are currently negotiating an Interactive Media Agreement (IMA), which encompasses 25 proposals/demands from SAG-AFTRA.
According to reports, both SAG-AFTRA and the gaming companies were able to find common ground on most issues.
However, both parties ultimately came down to a disagreement on just one of 25 demands and that was the “protections against AI.”
What Is SAG-AFTRA’s Stand?
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, expressed disappointment that a deal couldn’t be reached despite progress in negotiations. He remarked,
“Frankly, it’s stunning that these video game studios haven’t learned anything from the lessons of last year – that our members can and will stand up and demand fair and equitable treatment with respect to A.I., and the public supports us in that.”
According to him, the contentious point appears to be “protections for on-camera video game performers only“, such as motion capture artists, rather than those working behind the scenes in game development. He explained it in The Washington Post:
“They’re saying we’ll protect voiceover performers, but we won’t protect anybody else. The union is advocating for all performers involved in game creation to have informed consent and fair compensation for the use of their image, their likeness or voice, their performance.”
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher emphasized the importance of AI protections, stating,
“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members.”
What’s the Gaming Industry’s Response?
On the other side, the video game companies involved in the negotiations also expressed disappointment in SAG-AFTRA’s decision to strike.
Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the video game company side of the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA), said that they are “so close to a deal.”
In a statement, they stated that they agreed on 24 out of 25 proposals, including “historic wage increases and additional safety provisions.”
For a controversial “AI” part, they offer “meaningful AI protections” with consent and fair compensation for all performers.
But the union doesn’t think this is enough. Sarah Elmaleh, a voice actor and SAG-AFTRA committee chair, says the employers aren’t interested in fair AI protections, but rather in “flagrant exploitation.”
“Eighteen months of negotiations have shown us that our employers are not interested in fair, reasonable A.I. protections, but rather flagrant exploitation.”
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time video game actors have gone on strike. Back in 2016, SAG-AFTRA members stopped work for nearly a year. The primary reasons were Secondary Compensation/residual payments, Vocal Stress/working conditions, and Transparency.
For more information, visit the official SAG-AFTRA website. And remember to subscribe to Gaming Foodle for more news!