SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strikes Updates (November 2024)
The SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strikes have been — and continue to be — one of the most significant union movements aimed at legitimising the hard work of performers (including actors, voice actors, movement actors, stunts, and more) involved in the creation of video games in the USA. Picking up where the Film and TV strikes left off in 2023, SAG-AFTRA is championing protection policies against the use of exploitative AI technology within the industry, while leveling the playing filed for all perfomers involved in the making of video games.
MGR stands in full support of the union and the protection proposals championed by SAG-AFTRA. This short digest summarises the milestones of the union's most recent actions and negotiation outcomes from August to October 2024. At the time of writing, the strikes remain active.
All articles and media can be directly access on the website of SAG-AFTRA
Video Game Negotiations To Continue (October 26, 2024)
Talks are ongoing with major AAA game publishers, including Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc. as of 23 October.
The involvement of this list of major companies suggests that the strikes and negotiations are likely to continue for some time before reaching common ground. It seems highly probable that the conversation will extend into 2025.
After three days of scheduled negotiations, SAG-AFTRA announced that Interactive Media Agreement negotiations with employers would continue, with new dates to be announced as soon as they are confirmed.
Momentum Continues, as More Than 120 Games Sign on to SAG-AFTRA Video Game Contracts (October 22, 2024)
While more and more video game studios are agreeing to the union’s proposals, some continue to resist requests for fair, ethical, and responsible contract terms — particularly concerning consent, compensation, and transparency regarding AI usage in the production process...
On the eve of the scheduled resumption of negotiations on the video game contract, SAG-AFTRA has announced that more than 120 games from 49 companies have now signed the union’s tiered-budget or interim agreements.
“Humane protections for actors against A.I. exploitation are not an unreasonable ask — and the success of these contracts shows that most companies agree. They are happy to embrace fundamental, ethical guidelines around this tool - alongside equitable accommodation of it - in order to collaborate with professional talent. And talent are likewise eager and delighted to partner with companies that respect them,” said Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh.
Union Files Unfair Labor Practice With NLRB (September 24, 2024)
SAG-AFTRA has called a strike against Formosa (producers of League of Legends) for its attempts to sidestep union actions and violate US labour laws. The company allegedly transferred IP rights to a shell entity and advertised unionised roles as non-union, in an attempt to avoid the struck notice issued for one of its game. These actions compromise workers’ rights, flagrantly violating US labour regulations. The union has filed an unfair labour practice charge against Formosa Interactive LLC with the National Labour Relations Board.
“It’s bad enough that Formosa and other companies are refusing to agree to the fair A.I. terms that have been agreed to by the film, television, streaming, and music industries, as well as more than 90 other game developers. To commit illegal unfair labor practices is beyond the pale and won’t be tolerated by SAG-AFTRA members. Formosa will be held accountable, starting with an immediate strike of League of Legends.”
SAG-AFTRA Applauds the 80 Games Signed to Union Agreements During Video Game Strike (September 5, 2024)
The strike is gaining traction as more and more studios agree to the union's proposals, particularly concerning AI protections. By signing these agreements, studios are regaining autonomy, allowing production to resume and enabling workers to contribute to the industry once more. A similar scenario unfolded during the 2023 film strikes when early adopters, like A24, accepted the union’s proposals early. This allowed these studios to swiftly resume production, giving them a significant advantage in a restricted distribution market and heightened visibility during the awards season. Meanwhile, other studios faced prolonged delays in both production and releases...
Eighty games have signed SAG-AFTRA’s tiered-budget or interim agreements, proving that the union’s provisions — which include common sense A.I. protections — are fair and achievable. The union has been on strike against the major game developers since July, and these interim and tiered agreements provide employment opportunities to members during the work stoppage.
We’re Fighting for the Survival of Video Game Performers (August 19, 2024)
In August, SAG-AFTRA released a comparison chart detailing the union’s proposal versus the employers' proposal. The latter was starkly exploitative, prioritising financial gains over ethical considerations and respect for performers. By contrast, the union’s demands are simple, clear, and unequivocally protective of talent. The whole document can be dowloaded on the article's page (see below).
Video game performers discuss what’s at stake for their community and the industry (August 8, 2024)
SAG-AFTRA's podcast announced the strike against all major video game studios after 18 months of unsuccessful negotiations for AI protections and respect for the diverse contributions of video game performers. The conversation serves as a detailed overview of the strike, the Interactive Media Agreement, and the union's key demands.
Our guidelines have been consent, compensation and transparency: People should get paid for their work. If you’re going to use their voice, likeness or performance, they should get paid for that — they should be able to consent to that, And when they do consent, it should be on the basis of transparent information about what it is you intend to do. … You should have the same level of input and control of how you perceive your career [now] as you did before. Technology should not be an excuse to disenfranchise performers.
Ray Rodriguez
SAG-AFTRA Chief Contracts Officer
Additional entry
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland testifies in support of the NO FAKES Act.
This first senatorial outreach aims to promote a clear legal workframe towards the protection of consumers and performers against the non-consensual use AI technology. If passed, the NO FAKES Act would represent a landmark moment in AI regulation for the entertainment industry.
On April 30, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law convened a hearing on the Nurture Originals, Foster Art and Keep Entertainment Safe, or NO FAKES, Act in Washington, D.C. If passed, the NO FAKES Act stands to prohibit the unauthorized use of digital replicas without informed consent. Additionally, it would offer historic intellectual property protection against the misappropriation of voice and likeness performances at the federal level.
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