The video game industry is in for a period of uncertainty as SAG-AFTRA video game voice actors and motion capture performers are going on strike after talks for a new contract with major game studios broke down over AI protections. This is the second strike for video game actotrs and performers and began at 12:01 AM Friday the 26th of July and comes after almost two years of negotiations with companies including Activision, Warner Bros. and Walt Disney Co., over a new interactive media agreement.
Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the companies, said the studios offered AI protections, but SAG-AFTRA’s has stated that the studios’ definition of who constitutes a “performer” is part of the problem for understanding the issue of who would be protected.
“The industry has told us point blank that they do not necessarily consider everyone who is rendering movement performance to be a performer that is covered by the collective bargaining agreement,” SAG-AFTRA Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. He also noted that some physical performances are being treated as “data.”
“We strike as a matter of last resort. We have given this process absolutely as much time as we responsibly can.We have exhausted the other possibilities, and that is why we’re doing it now.”
Cooling in response stated that the companies’ offer “extends meaningful AI protections.”
“We are disappointed the union has chosen to walk away when we are so close to a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations”.
It should be noted that many companies who do not use union work will not be affected, and mainly affects the USA so some companies based in other countries will also be unaffected.
