Policy | 6/10/2025
SAG-AFTRA and Video Game Companies Reach Tentative Agreement on AI Protections
SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative agreement with major video game companies, ending a strike by voice and performance capture artists. The deal includes significant AI protections for performers, addressing concerns over digital replicas and compensation.
Landmark Agreement Ends Video Game Actors' Strike
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and several leading video game companies, including Activision, Electronic Arts (EA), and Epic Games, have reached a tentative agreement. This agreement, announced after extensive negotiations, concludes a strike by voice and performance capture artists that began in July of the previous year.
Key Issues: AI Protections
Central to the negotiations were concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video games. The new agreement includes provisions to protect performers from the unauthorized use of their voices, likenesses, and performances by AI technologies. These protections are seen as crucial in maintaining the integrity and value of performers' contributions in an industry increasingly influenced by AI.
Background and Negotiations
The strike was authorized by a vote with over 98% of SAG-AFTRA members in favor, highlighting the union's strong stance on issues such as wage increases and AI safeguards. The previous contract had expired over two years ago, leading to prolonged negotiations. The agreement aims to ensure informed consent and fair compensation for the use of digital replicas of performers.
Broader Implications
This tentative deal is expected to have significant implications for the video game industry and could influence other sectors dealing with AI advancements. It provides a framework for ethical AI use in relation to talent, potentially setting a precedent for future agreements in creative industries globally.
Next Steps
While the specific terms of the agreement are pending full disclosure and ratification, the focus on consent, compensation, and transparency reflects a growing demand for ethical AI frameworks. The agreement marks a significant step in labor relations within the entertainment industry as it adapts to technological changes.