Video Game Voice Actors Strike Over AI Concerns
SAG-AFTRA members demand AI protections and fair pay, potentially impacting major gaming franchises
Video game voice actors have gone on strike after failing to reach an agreement with major game studios over AI protections and fair compensation.
Actors union SAG-AFTRA had been in negotiations with major game studios including Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts (EA) and Disney Character Voices for more than 18 months.
Having failed to reach an agreement, the voice actors and performers have agreed to go on strike following a 98.32% yes vote in favor of the action.
At the center of the dispute are demands for AI protections for members, which studios are unwilling to offer.
“The employers refuse to plainly affirm, in clear and enforceable language, that they will protect all performers covered by this contract in their AI language,” SAG-AFTRA said.
“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough,” said Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA’s president. “When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate.”
SAG-AFTRA’s contract with major video game publishers expired in November 2022, with the parties operating on a month-to-month basis.
However, that has come to an end as actors are demanding protections be put in place similar to what their film, TV and animation counterparts were able to secure.
AI is becoming an increasingly enticing opportunity for major video game studios looking to cut costs. Generative AI can be used to create voices for characters or assets in games, use cases that would help bring down spiraling production costs for major titles.
With actors on strike, some of the biggest franchises in gaming could be affected, including Take 2’s “Grand Theft Auto VI,” EA’s “Mass Effect” and sports games like “Madden.”
Any game wanting to hire SAG-AFTRA’s video game talent would have to sign a new agreement that includes protections related to AI usage.
“SAG-AFTRA members… deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming and music: fair compensation and the right of informed consent for the AI use of their faces, voices and bodies,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator. “Frankly, it’s stunning that these video game studios haven’t learned anything from the lessons of last year — that our members can and will stand up and demand fair and equitable treatment with respect to AI and the public supports us in that.”
Among the video game performers at odds with AI includes several members of the award-winning “Baldur's Gate 3” cast. Amelia Tyler, who narrates the game, said she became upset their voice was cloned without permission and used for inappropriate applications.
Jennifer Hale, who voiced the female Commander Shepard in “Mass Effect” and Ashe in “Overwatch,” said she won’t work on any games until the strike is resolved.
SAG-AFTRA is also encouraging video game streamers to spread the word to their viewers on platforms such as Twitch.tv to shore up support.
On top of AI concerns, there’s also an issue with pay not being in line with inflation figures.
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