SAG-AFTRA members who work in video games have voted to strike due to concerns about AI, after more than a year and a half of unfruitful negotiations regarding the Interactive Media Agreement–a contract that many major gaming companies must stick to when creating big-budget games. The strike will go into effect at 12:01 AM PT on July 26.
“Any game looking to employ SAG-AFTRA talent to perform covered work must sign on to the new Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement, the Interim Interactive Media Agreement, or the Interim Interactive Localization Agreement,” reads the press release announcing the strike. “These agreements offer critical AI protections for members.”
SAG-AFTRA has been struggling to come to an agreement on AI usage in game development for months–specifically the use of AI in place of human voice actors and motion-capture performers. In January, SAG-AFTRA signed a controversial agreement with AI voice software company Replica Studios. The agreement, which essentially approved AI voice acting in video games, was criticized by voice actors, many of whom claimed they were never consulted about the agreement.
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