SAG-AFTRA Reaches AI Safety Deal With Game Studios

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has reached a tentative agreement on its interactive media contract, potentially concluding nearly a year of labor disputes in the video game industry.

Initiated in July 2024, the SAG-AFTRA video game strike began after negotiations collapsed between the union and major gaming companies represented on the board - including Activision, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions, and WB Games - primarily over AI usage policies. The strike received overwhelming member support, with over 98% voting in favor.

Initially, the strike's impact on games seemed minimal, but the effects became increasingly evident. Players noticed unvoiced NPCs in typically fully-voiced games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft. The situation escalated when SAG-AFTRA targeted League of Legends after Riot Games allegedly attempted to bypass strike requirements, while Activision recast characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 due to player concerns about replacement voices.

The union has announced the tentative agreement remains subject to review and approval by its national board. While strike activities are expected to be suspended shortly, members will continue striking against affected employers until final approval.

"SAG-AFTRA deeply appreciates the sacrifices made by video game performers and the commitment shown by our Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee throughout this prolonged strike," stated Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator.

"Through perseverance, we've secured essential AI protections that safeguard performers' careers in this new technological era, along with other significant improvements."

SAG-AFTRA previously filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Epic Games regarding their implementation of an AI-voiced Darth Vader character in Fortnite. The complaint alleged Llama Productions (an Epic subsidiary) violated labor laws by unilaterally implementing AI voice technology without union consultation, effectively replacing bargaining unit work.

In a related development, Horizon series actor Ashly Burch addressed concerns about AI voice replication after an unofficial AI-generated Aloy video surfaced online. Burch expressed deep concern about the future of performance artistry in gaming, stating: "This fight is about three key principles: consent before AI replication, fair compensation, and transparency about AI usage."

"My concern isn't the technology itself, or even companies' interest in using it," Burch explained. "I worry about performers having no recourse when their likeness or voice gets appropriated. Without proper protections, we risk compromising the future of game acting as an art form and endangering career opportunities for the next generation of performers."