Game Performers Go On Strike Over Pay and AI Issues

SAG-AFTRA, representing 160,000 members, has been engaged in contract negotiations with major video game companies for over a year and a half. The union's voice-over performers are striking due to concerns that their likenesses—voices, faces, and motions—could be used without consent, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence (AI). The performers are demanding protections against the unauthorized use of their identities and fair compensation for their work, regardless of the characters they portray, whether they be heroes, villains, or fantastical creatures. In response to the strike, video game companies argue that certain performances, particularly those involving motion capture, should be classified as mere data rather than artistic performances. This distinction is crucial for the companies, as they believe it exempts them from the AI protections that the union is advocating for. The debate centers on the nature of performance and the rights of artists in an evolving digital landscape. The situation is further complicated by the fact that many NPR colleagues are also SAG-AFTRA members but operate under different contracts, highlighting the diverse nature of labor agreements within the industry. As the strike unfolds, discussions are taking place among video game performers at events like Comic-Con in San Diego, where they are voicing their concerns and solidarity. The outcome of this strike could have significant implications for the future of voice-over work in video games, particularly as AI technology continues to advance and reshape the industry.