Hollywood’s Video Game Performers To Go On Strike Over AI, Pay Issues

Video game voice actors and motion-capture performers have called a strike over failed labor contract negotiations focused on AI-related protections for workers, bringing about another work stoppage in Hollywood, Reuters reported.

The SAG-AFTRA has called a strike of the Interactive Media Agreement that covers video game performers, effective July 26. I Image: SAG-AFTRA Facebook

The SAG-AFTRA has called a strike of the Interactive Media Agreement that covers video game performers, effective July 26, the union said.

The decision follows months of negotiations with major video game companies including Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Disney Character Voices, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s WB Games, CNN also reported.

The Interactive Media Agreement expired in November 2022 and was being extended on a monthly basis during the talks.

“Although agreements have been reached on many issues important to SAG-AFTRA members, the employers refuse to plainly affirm, in clear and enforceable language, that they will protect all performers covered by this contract in their AI language,” the union said.

SAG-AFTRA also represents the film and television actors who went on strike in July last year over concerns about inadequate safeguards against artificial intelligence (AI), putting Hollywood in the midst of two simultaneous work stoppages for the first time in 63 years.