The end of the strike era? SAG-AFTRA reaches preliminary agreement with gaming giants - video game stars will be protected from AI

There is finally hope for an end to the protracted strike that has rocked the video game industry. SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Radio and Television Artists) has reached a tentative agreement with a negotiating team that includes some of the largest studios and publishers in the games industry. This is a huge step forward that promises to protect voice actors from uncontrolled use of artificial intelligence and provide them with decent working conditions.

Here's What We Know

The Interactive Media Contract agreement is now "subject to review and approval by the national council and ratification by the membership council". Specific details of the terms will be made public as soon as these actions take place.

A suspension agreement with the employers is also expected to be finalised. SAG-AFTRA members will remain on strike until an agreement is reached.

The negotiating team with which SAG-AFTRA has been in talks includes representatives of such giants as Activision, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions and WB Games. This shows the scale of the problem and the importance of the agreement.

As a reminder, in September 2023, 98% of the union members voted in favour of authorising a strike to protect video game actors and artists from generative AI and ensure job security. The strike officially began last July after a year and a half of negotiations on the Interactive Media Agreement without reaching an agreement.

This tentative agreement is a significant step towards addressing key issues surrounding the future use of artificial intelligence in the gaming industry and the protection of artists' rights.

Source: SAG-AFTRA