Jump to content
  • Sign Up
×
×
  • Create New...
New feature: 1 Vote = 0.10€ for server Owner!

[STEAM] SAG-AFTRA Reaches 'Tentative Agreement' With Video Game Companies Over AI Protections for Performers

Steam

By Steam,
in Game News

 Share

Recommended Posts

  • Diamond Member
Steam Shadow Hunter

Steam 0

Posted
  • Diamond Member
Posted
This is the hidden content, please
This is the hidden content, please
across the video game industry.

The
This is the hidden content, please
was instigated back in July 2024 after the union and the major game companies — Activision, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions, and WB Games — that sit on the board failed to agree on AI provisions. Over 98% of members subsequently voted to strike.

While at first it was difficult to tell exactly how the strike would affect our games, there were visible impacts across the industry; players reported that a number of ongoing games such as
This is the hidden content, please
and
This is the hidden content, please
appeared to leave some NPCs unvoiced in otherwise voiced scenes, likely due to the strike. Then, late last year, SAG-AFTRA struck
This is the hidden content, please
after Riot
This is the hidden content, please
, and Activision confirmed
This is the hidden content, please
after players expressed concern about new voices.

Now, however, the union said it has reached a "tentative agreement," subject to review and approval of its national board. It is expected that strike action will be suspended soon, although until the national board approves the draft agreement, SAG-AFTRA members will "remain on strike against these employers."

"Everyone at SAG-AFTRA is immensely grateful for the sacrifices made by video game performers and the dedication of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee throughout these many months of the video game strike," said SAG-AFTRA National executive director and chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

"Patience and persistence has resulted in a deal that puts in place the necessary AI guardrails that defend performers’ livelihoods in the AI age, alongside other important gains.”

This is the hidden content, please
, after the company implemented an AI-voiced Darth Vader NPC in
This is the hidden content, please
. The complaint alleged that over the last six months, Llama Productions (owned by Epic Games) had failed to bargain in good faith with SAG-AFTRA's video game actors and had made "unilateral changes to terms and conditions of employment, without providing notice to the union or the opportunity to bargain, by utilizing AI-generated voices to replace bargaining unit work" on Fortnite.

And in March,
This is the hidden content, please
, using it to call attention to the demands of striking voice actors. Burch said the AI Aloy video left her feeling “worried about game performance as an art form,” and used it as a jumping off point to discuss the video game voice actors strike.

“Currently what we’re fighting for is, you have to get our consent before you make an AI version of us in any form, you have to compensate us fairly, and you have to tell us how you’re using this AI double,” Burch explained.

“I feel worried not because the technology exists. Not even because game companies want to use it. Of course they do. They always want to use technological advancements. I just imagine a video like this coming out that does have someone’s performance attached to it, that does have someone’s voice or face or movement. And the possibility that if we lose this fight, that person would have no recourse. They wouldn’t have any protections, any way to fight back. And that possibility, it makes me so sad it hurts my heart. It scares me. I love this industry and this art form so much and I want there to be a new generation of actors. I want there to be so many more incredible game performances. I want to be able to continue to do this job. If we don’t win, that future is really compromised."

Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at
This is the hidden content, please
.

This is the hidden content, please

For verified travel tips and real support, visit: https://hopzone.eu/
0

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Vote for the server

    To vote for this server you must login.

    Jim Carrey Flirting GIF

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

Privacy Notice: We utilize cookies to optimize your browsing experience and analyze website traffic. By consenting, you acknowledge and agree to our Cookie Policy, ensuring your privacy preferences are respected.

  I accept