Game Actors & AI: Strike Deal Reached
- A tentative agreement has been reached between SAG-AFTRA and major video game publishers, potentially ending a nearly year-long strike.
- The Interactive Media Agreement involves Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games Inc., Formosa interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take...
- Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator, expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by video game performers.
News from News Directory 3: The protracted strike impacting game actors has ended! SAG-AFTRA and major game publishers have struck a tentative agreement, a deal addressing crucial AI concerns that have been central to the dispute. The agreement includes safeguards designed to protect performers’ rights regarding the use of their voices and likenesses in an era of rapidly evolving artificial intelligence. After nearly a year of negotiations, the comprehensive deal covers key areas like compensation and working conditions, impacting the future of the secondary_keyword, video game industry. The agreement brought vocal talent and othre actors together. Expect a vote by union members in the coming weeks. this could dramatically influence how AI is utilized in games. Discover what’s next …
SAG-AFTRA, Game Publishers Reach AI Agreement, Ending strike
Updated June 12, 2025
A tentative agreement has been reached between SAG-AFTRA and major video game publishers, potentially ending a nearly year-long strike. The dispute centered on artificial intelligence (AI) protections for voice actors and performers in the gaming industry. The agreement includes what the union describes as “necesary AI guardrails” to protect actors’ work as companies increasingly use AI tools.
The Interactive Media Agreement involves Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games Inc., Formosa interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.Union members will vote on the agreement in the coming weeks, but the strike officially ended at 3:00 p.m. ET on June 11.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator, expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by video game performers. He said the deal puts in place necessary AI guardrails that defend performers’ livelihoods in the AI age, alongside other vital gains.
The strike, which began last July, focused on pay raises, working conditions, and the use of AI in performance capture. Actors feared AI models could replicate their voices and movements, potentially altering or replacing their creative output. Concerns grew after a Sony tech demo showed an AI-controlled aloy, from Horizon Zero Dawn, interacting with a player.SAG-AFTRA also filed an unfair labor practice against Epic Games for using an AI-voiced Darth Vader in Fortnite during negotiations.
Throughout the strike, some games replaced union actors, while others, like Destiny 2, silenced characters who would have had dialog. Some SAG-AFTRA actors voiced concerns about the strike’s impact. Voice actor William Salyers, known for his role in spider-Man 2, expressed concern about the habitat created around the negotiations. Jennifer Hale, known for Mass effect, added that vilifying those differences only divides the community.
“Everyone at SAG-AFTRA is immensely grateful for the sacrifices made by video game performers and the dedication of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee throughout these many months of the video game strike,” SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in a press release.“Patience and persistence has resulted in a deal that puts in place the necessary A.I. guardrails that defend performers’ livelihoods in the A.I. age, alongside other important gains.”
A spokesperson for the video game producers party to the Interactive Media Agreement said they were pleased to have reached a tentative contract agreement that reflects the important contributions of SAG-AFTRA-represented performers in video games. The agreement builds on three decades of successful partnership between the interactive entertainment industry and the union.It delivers historic wage increases of over 24% for performers, enhanced health and safety protections, and industry-leading AI provisions requiring transparency, consent and compensation for the use of digital replicas in games.
What’s next
SAG-AFTRA members will vote on whether to ratify the agreement in the coming weeks. if ratified, the agreement will set new standards for AI usage and compensation in the video game industry.