Following one and a half years of discussions, the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has initiated a strike for all video game-related work under the union’s Interactive Media Agreement. Starting on July 26th, the strike affects all SAG-AFTRA and involves major companies such as Activision Blizzard, EA, Insomniac Games, and WB Games. The union has argued that it couldn’t reach an agreement with the companies about AI protections, citing a commitment to not consenting to contracts allowing AI’s potentially harmful usage against its members’ interests.
SAG-AFTRA president, Fran Drescher, said they stand ready to negotiate when these companies show a serious intention to provide an agreement that the union’s members can accept and live with. On the contrary, a spokesperson for the video game producers, Audrey Cooling maintained that the union’s decision to strike is disappointing as they were close to a deal. She highlighted that they had agreed on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and improved safety measures, arguing that their offer is both responsive and awarding fair compensation to all performers.
The strike series of prohibited activities, as stated by SAG-AFTRA’s official website which includes singing, acting, dancing, auditions, rehearsals and performing motion capture amongst others. With the embargo on advertising struck work, events such as Comic-Con could potentially be negatively affected. However, SAG-AFTRA has noted that games presented at San Diego Comic-Con would be exempt from strike action.
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