SAG-AFTRA, the union which represents hundreds of thousands of creative professionals, including the voice and mo-cap actors who we hear and and see in the games we play, are ready to strike if game developers and publishers aren’t ready to make a deal that’ll protect actors against generative AI.
The deal in question is over the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA), which has yet to be ratified since 2017, and the deal that actors involved in games fall under. A deal should’ve been re-negotiated in 2022, but negotiations were delayed for one year by game publishers and developers. Negotiations have been ongoing since 2023, but publishers and developers have yet to agree on protections for actors against generative AI.
In a statement released on the SAG-AFTRA website, the union made it abundantly clear what will happen if a deal cannot be reached.
“Our resolve is unwavering and should not be tested,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator for the IMA at SAG-AFTRA.
“Our membership voted more than 98% yes to authorize a strike of this contract should the employers not come to the table with a deal that includes our critical provisions — especially in A.I. We are steadfast in our commitment to our membership who work this contract and whose extraordinary performances are the heart and soul of the world’s most popular video games. Time is running out for the companies to make a deal.”
That strike authorization vote happened more than half a year ago, and a deal has still yet to be reached, while the same game companies who aren’t coming to the table on a deal are exploring using AI in their games more and more. Ubisoft’s NEO NPC Project is just one of the more recent examples.
If a strike is called, “all covered services under the Interactive Media Agreement and all SAG-AFTRA members will cease rendering all services and performing all work covered by the IMA.”
This statement is the latest movement in this saga that, at least for now, has looked to be leading up to a strike since the beginning. This past March Crabtree-Ireland was already making it clear a strike was likely happening, and the 98% approval for a strike nine months ago itself speaks volumes.
Hopefully SAG-AFTRA is able to get a deal that’ll properly protect its members for the future.
Source – [SAG-AFTRA via GamesIndustry.Biz]