After bringing Hollywood to a standstill last year, SAG-AFTRA is at it again. Another strike is imminent, and this time it is video game performers. They have just voted to go on strike. The cause? The new bête noire of creatives everywhere – AI.
This is the second strike called by SAG-AFTRA for video game performers and voice actors from SAG-AFTRA since 2016.
The strike begins imminently and comes after a complete breakdown in two years of negotiations with gaming companies such as Activision, EA, Disney, Warner Bros. Games, and Epic Games. Grand Theft Auto VI is likely to be delayed as a result.
While wages and job safety improvements were secured, studios could not negotiate a deal around regulation in the AI space, leaving things open for them to replicate an actor’s voice, or create a digital replica of their likeness, with AI. The union claims this would happen without consent, protection, or compensation. Union president Fran Drescher said:
“When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live – and work – with, we will be here, ready to negotiate.”
As for the other side in the negotiations, a spokesperson said they were close, and it is the Union who is causing the strike by walking away from the negotiations. A spokesperson said:
“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.”
I still have the latest Call Of Duty games still in their cellophane for my dusty PS4 that hasn’t been switched on for about a year. I am confident I will remain unaffected by this strike.