AI Voice Acting in Focus as SAG-AFTRA Threatens Another Strike For VA's Rights

SAG-AFTRA's Press Release

On July 20, the SAG-AFTRA National Board, the union representing voice actors and performance artists, held a scheduled video conference and voted unanimously to empower the National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator to call a strike if necessary. The strike would target all services covered under the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA), with all SAG-AFTRA members ceasing work on projects falling under this contract. The main contention lies in securing critical AI protections for video game performers.

National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland emphasized the union’s firm stance, stating, "Our resolve is unwavering and should not be tested. 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 AI. 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."

SAG-AFTRA members are also looking for wage increases that keep up with inflation: "11% retroactive to expiration and 4% increases in the second and third years of the agreement," according to SAG-AFTRA. Additionally, they are seeking enhanced safety measures on set for on-camera and stunt performers, including mandated five-minute rest periods each hour, the presence of medics during hazardous work, protections against vocal stress, and the removal of any requirement for actors to perform stunts during self-taped auditions.

Should the strike proceed, it could disrupt various aspects of video game production, though the extent of the impact remains uncertain. Unlike TV and film production, which can experience immediate effects from strikes, video game development typically spans several years. While a strike may slow down certain phases of development, it is unclear whether it would lead to significant delays in game releases.

Companies Facing Negotiations and Their Stances

The potential strike targets 10 major 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.
　⚫︎　VoiceWorks Productions Inc.
　⚫︎　WB Games Inc.

Among these, Epic Games has publicly supported SAG-AFTRA’s stance. CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, "Epic supports the Screen Actors Guild’s view that game companies shouldn’t receive generative AI voice training rights on dialog recording sessions." No other companies have issued statements at this time.

History of the Negotiation

The backdrop of this struggle includes a previous strike in 2017, when SAG-AFTRA members went on strike against 11 major studios over similar issues, including base pay, health and safety, and residual pay. That strike lasted 340 days and ended with a compromise, though many union members remained dissatisfied with the resulting agreement.

The authorization of a strike by SAG-AFTRA marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for fair labor practices in the gaming industry. As negotiations continue, the industry watches closely, aware that the outcome will have lasting implications for the use of AI in performance capture and the overall treatment of video game performers. In an era where AI development is growing rapidly, it is paramount to protect individuals and ensure AI serves as a tool to enhance human creativity rather than replace it. The stakes are high, and the potential impact of a strike underscores the need for a resolution that addresses the critical concerns of the union and its members.