Video Game Performers Reach Agreement with 80 Companies on AI Terms, Ending Strike

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SAG-AFTRA, the union representing video game performers, has reached an agreement with 80 video game companies on AI usage and other terms. This tentative deal ends a strike that began on September 25, 2023, marking a significant development in the entertainment industry's ongoing negotiations with AI technology.

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Strike Conclusion and Agreement Overview

After a nearly six-month-long strike, SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative agreement with 80 video game companies, including industry giants like Activision, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, and Take 2 Productions

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. The strike, which began on September 25, 2023, primarily focused on the use of artificial intelligence in video game production and fair compensation for performers

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Key Terms of the Agreement

The new three-year contract includes several significant provisions:

  1. AI Protections: The agreement requires informed consent and compensation for the creation and use of digital replicas of performers

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  2. Wage Increases: Performers will receive an immediate 7.5% pay increase upon ratification, followed by additional 3% increases in both the second and third years of the contract

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  3. Vocal Stress Protections: The deal includes provisions to protect performers from vocal stress during demanding recording sessions

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Impact on the Industry

This agreement is seen as a significant victory for performers in the video game industry. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher emphasized the importance of the deal, stating, "This agreement represents a crucial step forward for AI protections in the entertainment industry"

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Broader Context of AI in Entertainment

The video game performers' strike and subsequent agreement come amid growing concerns about AI's role in various entertainment sectors. This deal follows a similar agreement reached by SAG-AFTRA with major Hollywood studios in November 2023, which also addressed AI usage

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Next Steps

While the agreement has been reached, it still requires ratification by the union's members. The SAG-AFTRA National Board will review the contract on Friday, after which it will be sent to members for a ratification vote

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Industry Reaction

The video game industry has largely welcomed the agreement. Many companies view it as a balanced approach that allows for technological innovation while protecting performers' rights. The Interactive Entertainment Agents Association, representing many video game performers, expressed satisfaction with the terms, particularly the AI protections

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This landmark agreement sets a precedent for how the entertainment industry might navigate the integration of AI technology while safeguarding the interests of creative professionals. As the video game industry continues to evolve, this deal may serve as a model for future negotiations in other sectors grappling with similar AI-related challenges.

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