SAG-Aftra Demands Higher Wages and AI Protections in Latest Action
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-Aftra) has called a strike against major video game companies, beginning on July 26, 2024. This move follows the union’s broader strike against television and movie studios in 2023. The strike involves approximately 160,000 members of the union and targets companies such as Activision Blizzard, WB Games, and Electronic Arts, among others, over the use of actors’ voices and likenesses in video games.
The strike comes after more than a year and a half of failed negotiations. SAG-Aftra is demanding higher wages and protections from the potential abuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry. The union’s president, Fran Drescher, stated, “We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members.” Executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland echoed the sentiment, criticizing the companies for not learning from the previous year’s strikes in Hollywood, where actors and writers stood up for fair treatment.
The strike will affect games produced by the aforementioned companies but will exclude those already in production, such as ongoing live service games like Fortnite. The union also seeks improved safety measures on set, including the presence of medics during work.
In response, the video game companies expressed disappointment, stating they were close to a deal and had already addressed most of the union’s concerns, including offering meaningful AI protections and historic wage increases. However, the union remained firm in its position, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation and safety in the evolving gaming industry.
This strike follows a similar action in 2016, which lasted nearly a year. While that strike had minimal impact on established video game franchises, its effects could be more significant over time due to the longer production timelines for blockbuster games compared to movies or television shows. Despite the potential delay in visible disruption, the union’s stance on AI and wages continues to highlight broader concerns within the entertainment industry.
