The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is going on strike again, this time against major video game companies.
Following the 2023 strike against major Hollywood studios, SAG-AFTRA is now calling for a work stoppage against major video game companies. The strike begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 26, 2024.
The ten companies facing the strike are 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., VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.
Why is SAG-AFTRA going on strike against video game companies?
The reason for the strike largely revolves around artificial intelligence. SAG-AFTRA has been attempting to re-negotiate its Interactive Media Agreement with the ten aforementioned companies since October 2022; however, there is still no deal in place at this time.
“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 A.I. language,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement, which can be read by clicking here.
“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough. When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate,” stated SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the chief negotiator and national executive director for SAG-AFTRA added, “The video game industry generates billions of dollars in profit annually. The driving force behind that success is the creative people who design and create those games. That includes the SAG-AFTRA members who bring memorable and beloved game characters to life, and they deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming, and music: fair compensation and the right of informed consent for the A.I. use of their faces, voices, and bodies. 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.”
