The American actors’ guild SAG-AFTRA has announced a strike for all video game producers working under the union’s Interactive Media Agreement, The Verge reports.
The guild states that negotiations on this issue have been ongoing since October 2022. Agreements have been reached on many of the issues raised by SAG-AFTRA members. But the game studios refuse to clearly confirm that they will protect all performers covered by this contract.
All voice actors and motion capture actors who are members of the guild will stop working with the studios until the strike goals are achieved.
This will affect such gaming companies as Activision Blizzard, EA, Insomniac Games, WB Games, and many others.
“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members,” said SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher in the press release. “When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate.”
Last September, SAG-AFTRA voted to authorize a strike around the same time as the Hollywood actors and screenwriters’ strikes were ending. The use of AI was one of the main concerns due to fears that the technology could be used to replace workers.
Loading comments …