Last July, SAG-AFTRA declared a video game voice actors strike against the industry's major publishers over several issues, including AI protections for performers. The strike has lingered almost a year, but the end may be in sight. SAG-AFTRA has announced that the actors union has reached a tentative agreement with the video game companies.
According to SAG-AFTRA's official site, the strike won't be over until the union members have a chance to go over the deal and vote for its ratification. Specific details about the potential contract or any gains for the actors weren't disclosed in the initial announcement.
"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's Duncan Crabtree-Ireland in a statement. "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. Thank you, Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Chair Sarah Elmaleh and Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez for your hard work and advocacy in pursuit of this contract."
Last month, Master Chief voice actor Steve Downes spoke about the importance of getting a deal that offers performers assurances that their voices can't be used by AI duplicates without their permission.
In early May, the video game publishers put forth what they contended was "the last, best and final offer" to end the strike. Subsequently, the publishers made what was characterized as "a key concession" on AI, which may have helped wind down the strike after 11 months. The fate of the deal will lie in the hands of the actors once the voting period begins.
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According to SAG-AFTRA's official site, the strike won't be over until the union members have a chance to go over the deal and vote for its ratification. Specific details about the potential contract or any gains for the actors weren't disclosed in the initial announcement.
"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's Duncan Crabtree-Ireland in a statement. "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. Thank you, Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Chair Sarah Elmaleh and Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez for your hard work and advocacy in pursuit of this contract."
Last month, Master Chief voice actor Steve Downes spoke about the importance of getting a deal that offers performers assurances that their voices can't be used by AI duplicates without their permission.
In early May, the video game publishers put forth what they contended was "the last, best and final offer" to end the strike. Subsequently, the publishers made what was characterized as "a key concession" on AI, which may have helped wind down the strike after 11 months. The fate of the deal will lie in the hands of the actors once the voting period begins.
Source