SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Deal Ending Year-Long Video Game Strike Over AI Concerns

Hollywood’s video game performers’ union, SAG-AFTRA, has reached a tentative agreement with several major game companies, potentially ending an almost year-long strike that was sparked by concerns over the use of artificial intelligence. The strike, which began in July 2024, was initiated after negotiations with top game makers stalled over demands for protections against AI.

The union highlighted that unregulated AI poses a significant threat to performers in the video game industry, as tools to create convincing digital voice replicas are widely available. Performers expressed fears that unchecked AI could allow game companies to replace them by training software to mimic an actor’s voice or by creating a digital likeness without explicit written consent or prior notice.

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland stated, “Patience and persistence has resulted in a deal that puts in place the necessary AI guardrails that defend performers’ livelihoods in the AI age, alongside other important gains.”

The union was negotiating with a group of game companies, including Activision, Electronic Arts, Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Epic Games Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take-Two Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc. SAG-AFTRA expects to finalize the terms of a strike suspension agreement with these companies soon, once final details are agreed upon. Until the deal is signed, members will stay on strike and won’t do any voice or performance work.

After the tentative contract is finalized, it must be approved by the SAG-AFTRA National Board and then ratified by union members before it can take effect. This process is crucial for ensuring that the agreement meets the needs and expectations of the union’s members.

This is not the first time video game performers have gone on strike. In October 2016, performers went on strike for about eleven months, ending in September 2017 with a deal that added bonus pay for voice and performance-capture artists. The current strike, which began on July 26, 2024, was authorized by a 98.32% vote in September 2023. The union's primary concern was the inclusion of AI clauses in contracts, which allowed game studios to scan and reuse actors' likenesses without fair consent or compensation. This practice raised fears among actors that they could be replaced by AI, leading to job insecurity and potential loss of livelihood.

The tentative agreement, pending approval by the union's National Board and ratification by members, includes "necessary AI guardrails" to protect performers' livelihoods in the AI age. Details of the deal have not yet been released, but the union has stated that it will share the information with ratification materials soon. SAG-AFTRA members will continue striking until a suspension agreement is finalized with employers, which is expected to happen soon.

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher praised the union's members for their courage and persistence, stating that their efforts have secured a deal that moves the needle forward. She also acknowledged the tireless work of the negotiating committee, which has been instrumental in achieving this tentative agreement. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator, expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by video game performers and the dedication of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee throughout the strike.

The tentative agreement marks a significant step forward in the ongoing negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and major video game companies. It represents a victory for the union's members, who have been fighting for better working conditions and AI protections for nearly a year. The deal, if ratified, will provide much-needed safeguards for performers in the AI age, ensuring that their likenesses and voices are not exploited without fair compensation.