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Video game actors’ strike: SAG-AFTRA says 80 games have agreed to its AI terms

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Video game actors' strike: SAG-AFTRA says 80 games have agreed to its AI terms

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast with a penchant for immersive storytelling, I find myself deeply invested in the ongoing saga of the video game actors’ strike. Having spent countless hours engrossed in both films and video games, I can attest to the transformative power of performance in both mediums. The recent announcement that several video game companies have agreed to SAG-AFTRA’s proposed AI terms is a significant step towards ensuring that performers are treated fairly in this rapidly evolving industry.

On Thursday, it was announced by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists that 80 video game creators have accepted the union’s suggested AI agreements. This decision comes amidst the ongoing actors’ strike in the video game industry.

As long as they follow the union’s AI guidelines, those games are currently given a pause from the walkout. Actors have been authorized to work on these projects during the strike. Companies that have made an agreement with SAG-AFTRA regarding AI include Little Bat Games (known for “Vampire Therapist”), Studio Wildcard (“Ark: Survival Evolved”), and Lightspeed L.A. (“Last Sentinel”).

Additionally, the contracts include sections about remuneration, breaks, health coverage, audition requirements, and safety measures.

Sarah Elmaleh, head of the SAG-AFTRA video game negotiating committee, stated that the large number of companies agreeing to SAG-AFTRA contracts shows how fair and reasonable those protections are.

Since late July, numerous voice-actors and motion-capture artists in the gaming industry have been on a work stoppage due to an impasse between their union, SAG-AFTRA, and the companies regarding the use of artificial intelligence.

In November 2022, the agreement known as the Interactive Media Union’s pact with leading video game creators such as Activision, Electronic Arts, Insomniac Games, Blindlight, Warner Bros., and Disney has come to an end.

SAG-AFTRA aims to negotiate an agreement where video game creators must inform and get approval from performers before mimicking their voices, actions, or appearances using AI. The union insists that employers should disclose the intended use of digital versions of actors and fairly compensate them for this usage.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes to craft proposals that strike a fair balance between safeguarding the rights of our talented performers and maintaining access to cutting-edge technology. This allows us to keep delivering exceptional entertainment experiences for our dedicated fanbase.

During the past year’s film and TV actors’ strike, interim agreements played a significant role in SAG-AFTRA’s strategy. Prior to the strike’s resolution, several independent studios reached agreements with the union privately. The main issue that arose during the work stoppage was artificial intelligence, which also proved to be a contentious point.

On Wednesday, SAG-AFTRA revealed that they had signed a temporary contract with Lightspeed L.A., enabling the firm to progress with their upcoming video game titled “Last Sentinel.

Steve Martin, manager of Lightspeed L.A., expressed in a statement that they’ve consistently appreciated and prioritized the unique contribution of talent. He added that it’s only natural to back our team, and there was no second thought when it came to incorporating protections for performers, which form the foundation of this agreement.

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2024-09-07 14:34

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