SAG-AFTRA Members in Video Games Industry Go on Strike
Screen Actors Guild of America (SAG-AFTRA) members who work in video games have initiated a strike as of this morning. The union is pushing for greater security for its members as more gaming companies consider using generative AI technology. This move comes after nearly two years of negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and major players in the gaming industry such as Activision, EA, Take-Two, and Warner Bros.
In September 2023, members voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike authorization. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher stated, “We’re not going to agree to a contract that allows companies to exploit A.I. at the expense of our members. Enough is enough. When these companies are ready to offer a fair agreement that our members can accept, we will be here, prepared to negotiate.”
According to the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, “The video game industry rakes in billions of dollars in profits each year. The driving force behind this success is the creative individuals who develop and produce these games. This includes SAG-AFTRA members who breathe life into memorable and beloved game characters. They deserve the same basic protections as performers in other entertainment sectors: fair compensation and the right to consent to the use of their faces, voices, and bodies in AI applications.”
Crabtree-Ireland added, “It’s surprising that video game studios have not learned from the events of last year – our members are willing to stand up and demand fair treatment regarding A.I., and the public stands behind us in this cause.”
