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The ongoing standoff between SAG-AFTRA and game publishers over the use of artificial intelligence in voice acting is still far from being resolved, according to the union. While there have been some advancements and agreements on certain matters, the gap concerning AI usage remains significant. Since July 2024, SAG-AFTRA’s members in the gaming sector have been striking in response to these unresolved issues.
The primary concern revolves around the use of AI by some publishers, who wish to digitally recreate an actor’s voice for future projects without their knowledge or consent. This has been a major sticking point. SAG-AFTRA, in a statement released on their website, emphasized that despite appearances, a deal is not close at hand.
“The bargaining group would have you believe that we are on the verge of an agreement,” the union stated. “This simply isn’t true. They’re also trying to drive a wedge between our members. We urge you to dive into our detailed updated comparison chart on AI proposals to truly understand just how wide the gap remains regarding fundamental AI protections for all performers.”
The union expressed concerns that these publishers are pushing to use previous performances and other sourced materials freely, without negotiating any protections. This could leave performers in the dark, without compensation or recourse if their voice replicas are used, even during future strikes. Moreover, once consent is given, there’s no transparency about how those replicated voices are being utilized.
Despite the impasse with the bargaining group, SAG-AFTRA has found success elsewhere. Over 160 games have agreed to interim and independent agreements, which have generated more revenue than those games not affected by the strike. Importantly, these agreements include the protections SAG-AFTRA is advocating for, highlighting that fair terms are achievable and agreeable for many gaming companies, regardless of their size, in contrast to the resistance from the bargaining group.
