Video Game Voice Actors to Initiate Industry-wide Strike Over AI Concerns

The landscape of video game voice acting faces a pivotal moment as voice actors represented by the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are set to strike from 12:01 a.m. Friday. This anticipated industrial action comes on the heels of an 18-month negotiation period with major video game studios such as Microsoft's Activision, Electronic Arts, Disney Character Voices, and Warner Brothers Games, over the controversial usage of artificial intelligence in the sector.

Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the gaming studios have been largely progressive, with the union and the companies finding common ground on 24 of 25 key proposals. Notably, these agreements encompass substantial wage increases and the implementation of enhanced safety measures designed to benefit the actors involved in the creative process of bringing video game characters to life. Furthermore, a crucial understanding has been reached that will ensure studios seek the consent of performers regarding the use of their voices in conjunction with artificial intelligence, coupled with a framework to provide appropriate compensation for such use.

Despite these significant advances, the sticking point that has culminated in the decision to strike revolves around the guild's strong stance against the potential abuse of AI technology by companies, which could undermine the livelihood of its members. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher emphasized the union's resolve, stating that actors cannot agree to any contract that doesn't adequately protect them from the possible risks associated with the expanding role of artificial intelligence in the industry.

The use of AI has ignited debate across the wider media industry, with last year's SAG-AFTRA strike in Hollywood prompting major film and TV studios to consent to a new contract that accounted for AI-related actor protections. This precedence underscores the significant impact AI has on creative professions and the need for robust frameworks to ensure these changes don't erode established industry standards and practices.

On the threshold of a deal, the game studios have expressed disappointment at the turn of events, marking the union's readiness to strike as premature. Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the game companies, lamented the interruption in negotiations, reaffirming the studios' preparedness to return to the table in search of a resolution.

This looming strike has the potential to alter the status quo in the video game industry, signaling a broader shift as traditional skills and new technologies vie for balance in the dynamic entertainment world. With approximately 2,600 individuals working under the guild's interactive media contract as of September, the outcome of these negotiations may set a precedence that could echo across the entire landscape of digital media and entertainment.