SAG-AFTRA officially announced it was striking in July 2024, citing disagreements over contract changes pertaining to AI use for dialogue in video games. Negotiations started in 2022, and after both parties couldn’t come to an amicable solution, the strike eventually began in 2024. Now, although it’s still ongoing: “It is expected the terms of a strike suspension agreement will be finalized with employers soon.”
The dispute between SAG-AFTRA and various video game companies is coming to an end. The increased use of AI and its prevalent nature in video games have raised various issues. One of which concerns the use of AI to generate voice-overs, resulting in SAG-AFTRA taking action to protect a whole industry.
Voice Actor Strike Against AI Use Nearly Reaches Resolution
SAG-AFTRA is an organization representing hundreds of thousands of actors, writers, artists, entertainers, and various other related professions. The escalating presence of AI in video games has led to widespread concern—hence the strike. While it has affected Hideo Kojima’s OD and Physint, it’s seen as being for the betterment of the industry.
However, nearly a year after the strike began, SAG-AFTRA has issued a statement: “It is expected that the terms of a strike suspension agreement will be finalized with employers soon. Until such agreement is reached, however, SAG-AFTRA members will remain on strike against these employers.
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said: “Everyone at SAG-AFTRA is immensely grateful for the sacrifices made by video game performers and the dedication of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee throughout these many months of the video game strike. Patience and persistence has resulted in a deal that puts in place the necessary A.I. guardrails that defend performers’ livelihoods in the A.I. age, alongside other important gains.”
The statement goes on to say that as soon as the new agreement is reached, SAG-AFTRA will already be hard at work on the next step: “We roll up our sleeves and begin to plan the next negotiation.”
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Andy is Insider Gaming's Senior Evergreen Editor and has been in the games journalism sphere in one way or another for over 7 years. His video game taste is as…
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