Video Game Performers have gone on strike

SAG-AFTRA union video game performers have voted to go on strike, which is in effect on July 26 at 12:01 a.m.

This is a strike against all video game companies signed to an Interactive Media Agreement (IMA), and it’s happened due to a deal not being reached, after more than a year and a half of negotiations. 98.32% of members voted to go ahead with this strike!

These negotiations surround forming the appropriate contracts to protect video game performers against AI exploitation. Generative A.I. is already spreading further in multiple industries.

President of SAG-AFTRA union; Fran Drescher says “We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough. When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate,”

In May 2023, WGA Writers went on strike for reasons also involving issues to do with the regulation of AI and more. And then actors joined the SAG-AFTRA strikes two months after in July 2023 for Hollywood movies and TV shows.

It wasn’t until September 2023, that the AMPTP decided to reach a deal with the WGA, which ended that writers strike. For the Hollywood actors strike, there was a much later billion dollar deal reached between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP, ending their strike in November 2023.

Both of these strikes took months to end, and it’s possible this could be the same for this new video game strike, or this could end in a matter of days. It all depends on if video game companies will reach a tentative deal.

If this is prolonged, this may affect the release dates of games currently in development. It’s being reported by Eurogamer; that many live services games will be unaffected by the strike and Grand Theft Auto 6 isn’t affected either.

Which video game companies does the strike affect?

SAG-AFTRA union writes about some of the companies this affects in their official statement:

‘The convenience bargaining group with whom SAG-AFTRA is negotiating includes Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc., VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.’

What can’t members do during this strike?

Members have been instructed not to cross picket lines and to ‘cease rendering all services and performing all work covered by the IMA, for struck game companies.

Here are some of the things member can’t do while the strike is in effect:

Acting.
Singing.
Dancing.
Performing stunts and related services.
Performance capture or motion capture work.
ADR/looping.
Voice acting, including performing sound-alike voice services.
Background work.
Stand-in work.
Rehearsals and camera tests.
Auditions (including via self-tape) and generals.
Authorizing the use of your voice or likeness (which includes integration or reuse of work already performed).
Promotional programs and trailers for struck games.
Negotiation with struck companies.