The Latest in the SAG-AFTRA Strike Against Game Publishers

SAG-AFTRA has called for a strike against major game publishers over concerns about the use of AI in games, particularly regarding voice acting and motion capture performances.

Key sticking point: AI training using motion capture data; While the game companies have offered some AI protections for voice performers, the union is demanding that motion capture and stunt performers also have the right to informed consent and fair compensation for the use of their performances in AI training.

• The strike affects over 160,000 SAG-AFTRA members working on games produced by Disney, Electronic Arts, Blizzard Activision, Take-Two, WB Games, and others.
• However, some games may be exempt due to interim agreements or pre-existing contracts.

Game companies’ response: The publishers claim they are close to reaching a deal and that their offer includes meaningful AI protections.

• They expressed disappointment that the union chose to strike when an agreement was near.

Parallels to previous strikes: This strike mirrors similar actions taken by SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) last year, which also focused on concerns about AI-generated work and the use of member performances for AI training.

• SAG-AFTRA last went on strike in the video game industry in 2016, lasting 340 days, primarily over issues of long-term royalties for performers.

Potential impact unclear: Due to the secretive and non-linear nature of game development, it may be difficult to assess the full impact of the strike on upcoming titles.

• Some games, like Grand Theft Auto VI, may be technically unaffected despite their parent company being struck.

Broader implications: The SAG-AFTRA strike highlights the growing concerns among creative professionals about the use of AI in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding issues of consent, compensation, and the protection of performers’ rights.

• As AI technologies continue to advance, these conflicts between creators and companies are likely to intensify, potentially leading to further strikes and negotiations across various entertainment sectors.
• The outcome of this strike could set important precedents for how AI is regulated and how performers are compensated in the rapidly evolving world of video game production.