After more than a year and a half of trying to negotiate a new Interactive Media Agreement, SAG-AFTRA has called a strike against major video game producers over concerns about artificial intelligence protections.
SAG-AFTRA — the union representing film, TV, voiceover and video game performers — said its members authorized the strike, with 98.32 percent voting “yes.”
“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members,” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said in a statement Thursday. “Enough is enough.”
The work stoppage takes effect on Friday, July 26 at 12:01 a.m.
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The strike is against ten video game producers — 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., VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.
“Frankly, it’s stunning that these video game studios haven’t learned anything from the lessons of last year — that our members can and will stand up and demand fair and equitable treatment with respect to A.I., and the public supports us in that,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator.
The strike means some upcoming video games could be delayed.
However, a spokesperson for the gaming companies urged the union to return to the negotiating table.
“We are disappointed the union has chosen to walk away when we are so close to a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations. We have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions. Our offer is directly responsive to SAG-AFTRA’s concerns and extends meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the IMA. These terms are among the strongest in the entertainment industry,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Last year, film and TV actors went on strike, after failing to reach a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) — which represents the studios, streaming services and major production companies.
At issue were residual payments to actors when TV shows and movies re-air and stream online; increased contributions to the union’s health and pension plans; and new rules to prevent companies from using artificial intelligence to reproduce a performer’s likeness.
The work stoppage lasted from July 13 to Nov. 9, and brought Hollywood productions to a halt. Striking actors were also told not to attend movie premieres, press junkets or promote their projects for consideration at the Emmy Awards, Oscars, or other awards programs.
This was right on the heels of Hollywood writers’ union WGA going on strike, which lasted from May 2 to Sept. 27, with both unions supporting one another on the picket line.
With the majority of actors and writers living in Los Angeles and New York, the two cities were hard-hit financially by the two strikes.
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