Hollywood's video game performers have announced a strike, marking another significant work stoppage in the entertainment industry.
The strike, driven by concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) protections, follows nearly two years of unsuccessful negotiations with major game studios.
Key Takeaways
- The strike begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday.
- Major game studios involved include Activision, Warner Bros., and Walt Disney Co.
- The primary issue is the regulation of generative AI.
- The strike affects over 2,500 performers, including voiceover and motion capture artists.
Background
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) represents the striking video game performers. This is the second strike for video game voice actors and motion capture performers under SAG-AFTRA. The previous strike, which began in October 2016, lasted 11 months and was primarily over pay rates.
The Core Issue: AI Protections
Negotiations have made progress on wages and job safety, but the two sides remain divided over AI regulations. SAG-AFTRA argues that without proper guardrails, game companies could use AI to replicate an actor’s voice or create digital replicas of their likeness without consent or fair compensation.
Statements from Both Sides
- SAG-AFTRA: Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez stated that some physical performances are being treated as “data” rather than as performances covered by the collective bargaining agreement.
- Game Studios: Spokesperson Audrey Cooling mentioned that the companies’ offer includes meaningful AI protections and expressed disappointment over the union's decision to strike.
Impact on the Industry
The global video game industry generates over $100 billion in profit annually. The strike could significantly impact the development and marketing of some of the industry's biggest games. Popular franchises now rely heavily on voice and motion capture performances, making the strike particularly disruptive.
Historical Context
The last interactive contract expired in November 2022 and did not include AI protections. However, it did secure bonus compensation for voice actors and performance capture artists. The current strike follows a similar pattern to last year's film and television strikes, which were also fuelled by concerns over AI.
Future Prospects
SAG-AFTRA has created a separate contract for independent and lower-budget video game projects, which includes some of the AI protections that major game studios have rejected. Games signed to this interim agreement are not part of the strike.
Conclusion
The strike underscores the growing tension between creative professionals and the use of AI in the entertainment industry. As negotiations continue, the outcome will likely set a precedent for how AI is regulated in future contracts.
Sources
- Video game performers to strike over AI concerns | AP News, AP News.
- Game Actors Are Striking Against EA, Epic, And Others Over AI, Kotaku.
- WIRED Games - Video Games Tips, Reviews, Features | WIRED, WIRED.
- Video game performers will go on strike over artificial intelligence concerns , WILX.
- Video game performers will strike over AI concerns | wusa9.com, WUSA9.
