By Video game performers voted to go on strike Thursday after talks for a new interactive media agreement with major game studios broke down over A.I. protections.
The strike, the second for video game voice actors and motion capture performers under SAG-AFTRA (the first was in 2016), begins at midnight and comes after nearly two years of negotiations with gaming giants.
Companies facing the strike include divisions of Activision, EA, Take 2 and Disney, along with Warner Bros. Games, Insomniac Games and Epic Games among others.
SAG-AFTRA negotiators say gains have been made over wages and job safety in the video game contract, but studios will not make a deal over the regulation of generative AI.
The union says without guardrails in place, game companies could train AI to replicate an actor’s voice, or create a digital replica of their likeness without their consent or fair compensation.
Union president Fran Drescher says members would not approve a contract that would allow companies to ‘abuse AI’: “When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live – and work – with, we will be here, ready to negotiate.”
A spokesperson for the video game producers confirms the companies and union had reached deals on almost everything. They added that the studios offered AI protections that would require “consent and fair compensation to all performers.”
They add: “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.”
The video game agreement covers more than 2,500 “off-camera (voiceover) performers, on-camera (motion capture, stunt) performers, stunt coordinators, singers, dancers, puppeteers, and background performers”.
Source: AP News
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