SAG-AFTRA & Game AI: New Contract Approved
- The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) National Board has approved a tentative agreement with video game companies, paving the way for a membership...
- The proposed contract includes provisions regarding artificial intelligence, requiring informed consent for AI usage and allowing performers to suspend consent for digital replica use during strikes.
- If ratified, the agreement provides a 15.17% compounded increase in performer compensation upon ratification, followed by 3% increases in November 2025, 2026, and 2027.
SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative agreement on Video Game Contract
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) National Board has approved a tentative agreement with video game companies, paving the way for a membership ratification vote on the Interactive Media Agreement.
The proposed contract includes provisions regarding artificial intelligence, requiring informed consent for AI usage and allowing performers to suspend consent for digital replica use during strikes. The agreement also secures essential safety measures, such as requiring a qualified medical professional at hazardous rehearsals and performances. Rest periods are mandated for on-camera principal performers, and virtual auditions cannot include hazardous activities.
If ratified, the agreement provides a 15.17% compounded increase in performer compensation upon ratification, followed by 3% increases in November 2025, 2026, and 2027. Overtime rates for overscale performers will be based on double scale. health and retirement contribution rates will rise from 16.5% to 17% upon ratification and to 17.5% in October 2026.
Compensation gains include collectively bargained minimums for using digital replicas and higher minimums (7.5x scale) for “Real Time Generation,” such as embedding a digital replica-voiced chatbot in a video game. “Secondary Performance Payments” will ensure compensation when visual performances are reused.
Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game producers, said the agreement reflects the important contributions of SAG-AFTRA-represented performers. she added that it delivers historic wage increases, enhanced safety protections, and industry-leading AI provisions, requiring transparency, consent, and compensation for digital replicas.
What’s next
The full terms of the three-year deal will be released with ratification materials on Wednesday,June 18. Eligible SAG-AFTRA members have until 5 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, to vote.More details are available at sagaftra.org/videogames2025.