The video game actors’ strike that began last July over AI concerns and more may end soon. SAG-AFTRA has announced it has reached a tentative agreement with signatory game companies, including 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.
The agreement is subject to review and approval by the National Board and ratification by members in the coming weeks, and it is expected that the terms of a strike suspension agreement will be finalized with employers soon, according to SAG-AFTRA. When that agreement is finalized, the strike that began July 16 last year will end. However, until that agreement is finalized, the strike will continue.
“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 national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland writes in a press release. “Patience and persistence have resulted in a deal that puts in place the necessary AI guardrails that defend performers’ livelihoods in the AI age, alongside other important gains.”
In the same press release, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher wrote, “Our video game performers stood strong against the biggest employers in one of the world’s most lucrative industries. Their incredible courage and persistence, combined with the tireless work of our negotiating committee, has at last secured a deal. The needle has been moved forward and we are much better off than before. As soon as this is ratified, we roll up our sleeves and begin to plan the next negotiation. Every contract is a work in progress and progress is the name of the game.”
The aforementioned strike began last July after SAG-AFTRA members approved a strike authorization in September of 2023 with a 98.32% yes vote. Though SAG-AFTRA executives sound happy about the agreement, we won’t know how it specifically addresses AI and other concerns that led to the strike until the ratification materials are officially released in the coming weeks.
