×
Video Game Actors Strike Over AI Dispute
Written by
Published on
Join our daily newsletter for breaking news, product launches and deals, research breakdowns, and other industry-leading AI coverage
Join Now

Video game actors strike after failing to reach agreement with game companies on AI terms, highlighting the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the entertainment industry.

Key issues in dispute: SAG-AFTRA and video game companies could not agree on terms related to the use of artificial intelligence in games, leading to the strike:

A closer look at the strike’s potential impact: The walkout could disrupt video game production schedules and delay releases, especially for games slated for 2025 or 2026:

  • Game companies operate on tight timelines and budgets, so prolonged delays could be financially damaging, particularly if games miss the crucial holiday sales season.
  • However, some games already in production when the strike was announced may be exempt from the work stoppage.

Historical context and next steps: This strike comes after nearly a year of unsuccessful negotiations and echoes a previous 2016-2017 walkout:

  • In September 2023, 98% of SAG-AFTRA members authorized a potential strike, signaling strong support for the union’s bargaining position.
  • The last video game actors’ strike lasted 11 months, but AI wasn’t a major concern at the time; instead, the dispute centered on residual-like payments based on game sales.
  • Experts predict the strike could last until September or potentially the end of the year as companies seek to resolve the issues before their next earnings reports.

Broader implications for the industry: The strike underscores the growing need for the entertainment industry to grapple with the disruptive impact of AI on jobs and compensation:

  • As AI becomes more sophisticated and prevalent in gaming, film, and television, unions are pushing for stronger protections and compensation for performers whose work could be replicated or replaced by the technology.
  • The outcome of this strike could set important precedents for how AI is regulated and how talent is compensated in the entertainment industry going forward, making it a closely watched development for all stakeholders.
Video game actors are on strike. Here's what that means

Recent News

H2O.ai boosts AI agent precision with advanced modeling

The platform integrates predictive analytics with generative AI to help businesses achieve more consistent and reliable AI outputs across their operations.

Salesforce launches testing center for AI agents

As AI agents proliferate across businesses, companies seek robust testing environments to validate autonomous systems before deployment in mission-critical operations.

Google’s Anthropic deal faces Justice Department scrutiny

U.S. regulators seek to restrict Google's ability to invest in AI startups, marking the first major government intervention in big tech's artificial intelligence deals.