Video game voice actors and motion-capture performers have called for a strike over failed labor contract negotiations regarding AI-related protections for workers, leading to another work stoppage in Hollywood. The SAG-AFTRA has announced a strike of the Interactive Media Agreement that covers video game performers, effective July 26. This decision comes after months of negotiations with major video game companies including Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Disney Character Voices, and Warner Bros Discovery’s WB Games. The Interactive Media Agreement expired in November 2022 and was being extended on a monthly basis during the talks.
The union stated that although agreements had been reached on many issues important to SAG-AFTRA members, the employers were refusing to affirm clearly in enforceable language that they would protect all performers covered by the contract in their AI language. The SAG-AFTRA also represents film and television actors who went on strike in July last year over concerns about inadequate safeguards against artificial intelligence, creating two simultaneous work stoppages in Hollywood for the first time in 63 years. Besides AI protections, the most pressing issues in the contract negotiations for video game performers are higher pay, medical treatment, and breaks for motion capture performers.
SAG-AFTRA is seeking wage increases for video game performers, citing that their pay has not kept up with inflation. They are also pushing for more protections for motion-capture performers who wear markers or sensors on the skin or a body suit to help game makers create character movements. Despite the strike, the video game producers party to the Interactive Media Agreement expressed disappointment, stating that they were close to a deal and ready to resume negotiations. They claim to have found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions. The offer presented to SAG-AFTRA includes AI protections that require consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the IMA.
The strike by video game voice actors and motion-capture performers has further heightened labor tensions in Hollywood, as workers demand more protections in an increasingly technology-driven industry. The union’s decision to strike over AI-related protections highlights the evolving challenges faced by performers in the digital era. The negotiations have been ongoing for months, with key issues such as pay, medical treatment, and breaks for motion-capture performers at the forefront of the discussions. The union is advocating for wage increases and improved safeguards for performers working in the video game industry.
Despite progress being made in negotiations, the refusal of employers to clearly affirm protections for performers in AI language has prompted the SAG-AFTRA to take action. The strike comes at a time when labor disputes in Hollywood are already high, with film and television actors previously going on strike over similar concerns about artificial intelligence. The offer presented by the video game producers includes AI protections requiring consent and fair compensation for performers under the IMA, indicating some common ground between the parties. However, the union’s decision to strike signals a stand for workers’ rights in an industry increasingly reliant on technology.
The implications of the strike extend beyond just a labor dispute, shedding light on the changing dynamics within the entertainment industry. As technology continues to play a significant role in productions, performers are seeking assurances that their rights and protections are upheld. The strike by video game voice actors and motion-capture performers underscores the broader challenges faced by workers in navigating the intersection of artistry and technology. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of unions in advocating for the rights and well-being of performers in an ever-evolving industry landscape. The outcome of the strike and subsequent negotiations will likely have far-reaching implications for the future of labor relations in Hollywood and beyond.
