SAG-AFTRA Allows Striking Video Game Actors to Participate in Student Projects and Game Jams Amid Ongoing AI Concerns

SAG-AFTRA makes exception for student devs and game jams in 8-month videogame performance strike: 'I'm thrilled that these types of projects can now be accommodated'

"Student projects and game jams are especially playful and rewarding opportunities for devs and actors to collaborate." SAG-AFTRA is making a move to support student game developers amidst its ongoing strike with a new exception that will allow striking video game actors to work on student projects and game jams. On Friday, SAG-AFTRA announced the Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement, which open the door for actors who are members of the union to work on certain projects without breaking their strike. Both aim to specifically support early-career game developers. As SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in a press release, "Our members are passionate about this industry and they want to be able to participate in these types of projects where the future of video games is being shaped." There are certain requirements for a project to qualify for either waiver, but both are mutually beneficial for actors and game devs alike. SAG-AFTRA (the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), which represents video game actors, has been on strike for exactly 8 months as of March 26. Due to the strike, actors are currently not working on new projects with major game studios, so any opportunity to work on projects without breaking the strike can be a big help. These new waivers open the door for new work opportunities for actors while also supporting up-and-coming game developers. If you're wondering why the SAG-AFTRA strike has lasted so long, the answer is AI. Video game actors are fighting for protections against AI, which is a growing threat to their careers and the future of gaming as a whole. Earlier this month, Horizon Zero Dawn actor Ashley Burch spoke out about the issue after a demo clip leaked online showing an AI version of her character. Burch's response summed up the situation well, highlighting the fact that it's not the technology itself that's the problem, but the lack of protections against misuse or the use of an actor's likeness without their permission. As Burch said, "I feel worried not because the technology exists, not even because game companies want to use it. Of course they do, they always want to use technological advancements. I just imagine a video like this coming out that does have someone's performance attached to it. "If we lose this fight, that person would have no recourse. They wouldn't have any protections, any way to fight back. And that possibility, It makes me so sad." As long as protections against situations like that remain off the table, the SAG-AFTRA strike will continue. Game studios are starting to feel the impact of the strike, too - League of Legends is reportedly recycling old voiceover clips and a new Destiny 2 episode launched in February missing voice over lines.

SAG-AFTRA will allow striking actors to participate in student projects and jams - Softonic

Since they are not professional projects, the aim is to support the future of industry professionals SAG-AFTRA has taken a significant step in its fight for the rights of video game actors by introducing the Student Interactive Exemption Agreement and the Game Jam Exemption Agreement. These agreements allow striking actors to participate in student projects, providing job opportunities without violating the strike that has been ongoing for eight months, which began on March 26. The measure aims to support early-stage video game developers, thus ensuring a steady flow of talent and creativity in the industry. The national executive director of SAG-AFTRA, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, highlighted that union members are committed to the industry and want to participate in projects that define the future of video games. However, it is crucial that the projects meet certain requirements to qualify under these exemption agreements. The reason behind the extension of the strike is related to the demands of the actors, who are calling for protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence and the use of their image without consent. AI has become a central concern, as its misuse could threaten the viability of actors' careers. Ashly Burch, known for her role in Horizon Zero Dawn, expressed her concern about the potential misuse of technology like AI, emphasizing that it is not the advancement itself that worries her, but the lack of legal protection for actors. Video game studios have begun to feel the impact of the strike. For example, League of Legends is resorting to recycling old voice lines, while a recent episode of Destiny 2 was released without certain voice lines. This situation highlights the urgent need for an agreement between the actors and the studios to ensure that video game development can progress without compromising the rights of those involved.