SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Agreement with Video Game Companies, Addressing AI Concerns and Ending Nearly Year-Long Strike
27 Sources
[1]
Video game performers on strike for almost a year over AI issues reach a tentative deal
The union for Hollywood's video game performers has reached a tentative contract with several video game companies that may bring an end to an almost year-long strike tied to the use of artificial intelligence. Members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
[2]
SAG-AFTRA has suspended its gaming industry strike over AI protections
SAG-AFTRA has its strike against ten game studios. The organization's national board will meet tomorrow to consider a tentative agreement with the developers; more details of the arrangement will be disclosed if and when the board agrees to the terms. obtained a statement from a spokesperson for
[3]
Performers and video game companies reach deal that ends nearly year-long strike
Striking performers picket outside Disney Character Voices, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, in Burbank, California, in August. Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty hide caption Performers in the SAG-AFTRA union have suspended their nearly year-long strike against major video game companies that
[4]
SAG-AFTRA actors union reaches agreement with game companies to stop strike
SAG-AFTRA has reach an agreement to end its strike against game companies. Image Credit: SAG-AFTRA The game companies and the SAG-AFTRA actors union have reached an agreement that is expected to end a long strike. Once the terms of a strike suspension agreement are finalized with employers, the
[5]
SAG-AFTRA board approves agreement with game companies on AI and new contract
SAG-AFTRA's board has approved a deal with game companies, setting up membership vote. Image Credit: SAG-AFTRA The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) National Board approved the tentative agreement with the video game bargaining group. The
[6]
Video game performers on strike for almost a year over AI issues reach a tentative deal
The union for Hollywood's video game performers has reached a tentative contract with several video game companies that may bring an end to an almost year-long strike tied to the use of artificial intelligence. Members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
[7]
The SAG-AFTRA video game voice actors' strike has come to an end
The strike -- which has been ongoing since July 26, 2024 -- has impacted numerous games, including Destiny 2, Genshin Impact, and League of Legends. If ratified, the updated IMA will secure better pay and better protections against AI for voice actors in video games. "We are pleased to have
[8]
After 10 months, SAG-AFTRA union has reached a 'tentative agreement' with major companies including EA, Warner Bros, and Epic over AI voice acting protections
SAG-AFTRA will remain on strike until the "agreement is reached". SAG-AFTRA, a large US-based union covering a ton of performing talent across multiple industries, has finally reached a "tentative agreement" with a series of major companies after 10 months of strike action. The strike, which
[9]
UK actor's union Equity applauds "tenacity and persistence" of SAG-AFTRA members as tentative agreement over AI reached
UK actors' union Equity has applauded the "tenacity and persistence" of SAG-AFTRA video game performers, following news the US union has reached a tentative agreement after almost a year on strike. It now calls upon the industry to negotiate for UK performers too. Yesterday, the US union shared
[10]
Video game actors' strike ends after tentative deal is reached
Video game actors and non-video game SAG-AFTRA supporters walk the picket line at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank, Calif., on Aug. 1, 2024. Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images file The video game actors' strike was suspended on Wednesday after a tentative deal with game publishers
[11]
US actors union suspends year-long video game strike following "tentative agreement" over AI
Just days after announcing a tentative agreement had been reached with key video game publishers, US actors union SAG-AFTRA has called off its nearly year-long strike action, instructing members to return work on productions that fall under the Interactive Media Agreement. SAG-AFTRA (AKA the The
[12]
Videogame voice actors strike 'suspended' following agreement with game companies: 'All SAG-AFTRA members are instructed to return to work'
A day after reaching a tentative agreement with major game companies over "critical AI protections" for voice actors, the SAG-AFTRA union has suspended the strike that's been ongoing since July 2024 and given its members the green light to return to work. That the strike is "suspended" and not
[13]
Voice actors "relieved to have the freedom to work again", says Jennifer Hale, as SAG-AFTRA strike ends
The newly agreed terms of the Interactive Media Agreement between SAG-AFTRA and the video game industry represent "an enormous effort on both sides and a real desire to move forward in a constructive way", said voice actor Jennifer Hale. Speaking to Eurogamer, Hale (known for her roles in Ratchet
[14]
Video game voice actors have been on strike for nearly a year. They finally have deal
Video game voice actors and motion capture artists could be headed back to work soon. SAG-AFTRA and major video game companies have announced a tentative contract agreement, 11 months after union members began a work stoppage. Artificial intelligence was at the heart of the dispute. "Patience and
[15]
Video game actor strike ends in US - but AI described as 'direct threat' to UK industry
Video game actors in the US have ended their strike after nearly a year of industrial action, over the use of artificial intelligence by game studios. More than 2,500 US performers were barred from working on games impacted by the strike while the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of
[16]
Video game performers on strike for almost a year over AI issues reach a tentative deal
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists has reached a tentative contract deal with several video game companies that may bring an end to an almost year-long strike tied to the use of artificial intelligence The union for Hollywood's video game performers has
[17]
Video game performers on strike for almost a year over AI issues reach a tentative deal
The union for Hollywood's video game performers has reached a tentative contract with several video game companies that may bring an end to an almost year-long strike tied to the use of artificial intelligence. Members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
[18]
11-Month Battle Over AI Finally Ending As Striking Game Actors Reach Tentative Deal
A nearly year-long battle between SAG-AFTRA game actors and the major publishers over AI protections for performances is set to end, after both sides reached a tentative agreement this week. Details of the deal haven't yet been released, but the union says it includes "necessary AI guardrails" as
[19]
Striking Hollywood Video Game Actors Reach Tentative Agreement With Studios
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Hollywood video game voice and motion capture actors and video game studios reached a tentative agreement on Monday with new conditions for the interactive media contract, pending review from the actor guild's national board. A press release from Screen Actors Guild-American
[20]
SAG-AFTRA suspends video game actors strike after reaching a "tentative agreement" with major game publishers over AI protections and better wages
The agreement apparently delivers "historic wage increases" and "industry-leading AI provisions" SAG-AFTRA has finally suspended its strike against major game companies after almost a year of negotiations. The US-based union that represents performing talent of all kinds said the strike is only
[21]
Video game performers on strike for almost a year over AI issues reach a tentative deal
The union for Hollywood's video game performers has reached a tentative contract with several video game companies that may bring an end to an almost year-long strike tied to the use of artificial intelligence. Members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
[22]
SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Deal With Video Game Companies, Voice-Actors Strike Might Be Coming To An End
SAG-AFTRA has announced that it has reached a tentative deal with video game companies over the Interactive Media contract, potentially bringing the voice actors' strike to an end. Performers under the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA) have been on strike since July 2024, with the main sticking
[23]
SAG-AFTRA reaches tentative agreement with major video game companies
We all remember the great SAG-AFTRA strike of a couple of years ago, where in the face of daunting technology and fairer conditions actors followed writers in striking against big Hollywood companies. Once film and TV actors got a deal, however, video game actors were left behind, leading to
[24]
SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Contract Deal With Video Game Companies After Nearly a Year on Strike
Hollywood Incentives Bill Passes the CA State Assembly Without $750 Million Specified, For Now In an agreement that could eventually mark the end of a nearly yearlong strike, SAG-AFTRA and major video game companies have reached a tentative deal on a contract agreement. The performers' union
[25]
SAG-AFTRA Suspends Strike Against Video Game Companies, Paving Way for Return to Work
MSNBC Is Working to Build Its Podcast Portfolio. Next Up: A Nicolle Wallace Show After nearly a year on strike against major video game companies, SAG-AFTRA has worked out the details of a suspension agreement to allow its performers to return to work for the major studios as its negotiating team
[26]
SAG-AFTRA Suspends Video Game Voice Actor and Performer Strike, Bringing Industrial Action to an End After Almost a Year - IGN
It's official -- the video game voice actor and performer strike is over. The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) confirmed it had reached a "tentative agreement" on the interactive media contract earlier this week, potentially bringing to an end
[27]
SAG-AFTRA Reaches 'Tentative Agreement' With Video Game Companies Over AI Protections for Performers - IGN
The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has reached a "tentative agreement" on the interactive media contract, potentially bringing to an end almost a year of industrial action across the video game industry. The SAG-AFTRA video game strike was
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SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative agreement with major video game companies, potentially ending a strike that lasted almost a year. The deal includes provisions for AI use, wage increases, and improved working conditions for performers in the gaming industry.
Strike Suspension and Tentative Agreement
After nearly a year of negotiations, SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative agreement with major video game companies, potentially ending a strike that began in July 2024
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. The strike, which involved performers in the video game industry, was primarily focused on securing protections against the unregulated use of artificial intelligence (AI)1
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Source: VentureBeat
Key Issues and AI Concerns
The strike was initiated due to concerns over the potential misuse of AI technology in the video game industry. Performers worried that AI could be used to create digital replicas of their voices and likenesses without proper consent or compensation
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. Some actors expressed fears about the possibility of their performances being considered merely as "data" or being replaced entirely by AI3
.Terms of the Agreement
While specific details are yet to be fully disclosed, the tentative agreement includes several significant provisions:
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AI Protections: The deal establishes "guardrails" for AI use, including requirements for transparency, consent, and compensation for the use of digital replicas in games
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Wage Increases: The agreement provides for "historic wage increases" of over 24% for performers
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Health and Safety: Enhanced health and safety protections have been included in the contract
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Compensation Structure: The deal includes compounded increases in performer compensation at a rate of 15.17% upon ratification, with additional 3% increases in November 2025, 2026, and 2027
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Digital Replica Compensation: Collectively-bargained minimums have been established for the use of Digital Replicas created with IMA-covered performances
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Industry Response and Next Steps
The tentative agreement has been approved by SAG-AFTRA's National Board and will now be submitted to the membership for ratification
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. Both the union and the video game companies have expressed satisfaction with the outcome. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's National Executive Director, stated that the deal "puts in place the necessary A.I. guardrails that defend performers' livelihoods in the A.I. age"3
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.Related Stories
Broader Context and Impact
Source: Sky News
This agreement comes as part of a larger wave of labor action in the entertainment industry, following the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike against major Hollywood studios
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. The video game strike's resolution may have significant implications for the use of AI in the broader entertainment sector.Industry Participants
The agreement involves several major players in the video game industry, including Activision Productions Inc., Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games Inc., and WB Games Inc., among others
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Source: Polygon
As the video game industry prepares to resume full production, the long-term effects of this strike and the new agreement on game development and performer rights remain to be seen. The ratification process and implementation of these new terms will be closely watched by both the gaming and entertainment industries in the coming weeks and months.
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