SAG-AFTRA says progress has been made, but the latest proposal still has “alarming loopholes” that could leave members vulnerable to AI misuse.
The SAG-AFTRA video game strike continues, with the union sharing updates on the negotiations surrounding the use of AI in the video game industry. The SAG AFTRA committee shared some updates regarding this in a statement released to its members on Tuesday, (11 March).
“Though progress has been made and agreements have been reached on certain provisions since we launched our strike last year, the last proposal the bargaining group made is still filled with alarming loopholes that will leave our members vulnerable to A.I. abuse,” the statement read.
“It's a huge issue for all of us and the repercussions are vast,” it stated. "So to me, it makes sense that everyone needs to take their time. As performers - and we saw this in the writers' strike and the theatrical contract strike - we're just the canary in the coal mine."
According to the statement, the union had submitted a counterproposal to “diligently address these loopholes,” to offer “minimum protection” for members of the union to give them sustainable careers.”
The SAG-AFTRA strike against video game companies began on 26 July, 2024, where members of the union voted to strike after "more than a year and a half of negotiations" failed with game publishers such as Activision Blizzard, Warner Bros. Games, and Electronic Arts. The strike then targeted League of Legends devs Riot Games, after the union accused Formosa Interactive, the company that Riot contracted for LoL voiceovers (VOs), of unfair labour practices.
And most recently, HoYoverse has also been under fire after some allegations that both the company and Sound Cadence (the company HoYoverse contracted for VOs) removed some voice actors from Zenless Zone Zero without notice, allegedly due to the SAG AFTRA strike. It should be noted that Sound Cadence later released a statement saying that “Every contract at our studio features explicit AI protections, regardless of union status.”
What are the terms that are still being negotiated at this time?
A document comparing the SAG-AFTRA proposal vs the Employer Proposal was also made available to public. Here’s a quick breakdown of what hasn’t been agreed on by both parties.
Who’s covered? (Protections for Past vs. Future Work)
- SAG-AFTRA wants AI protections for any time, including past recordings.
- Game companies allegedly want to limit the agreement to future work, allowing AI use of old voice clips and face scans.
What counts as a “Digital Replica”?
- SAG-AFTRA: Any AI version of an actor’s voice or face tied to their work counts as a digital replica.
- Game Companies: Only AI voices made mostly from official recordings are protected.
How AI-Generated Work Should Be Approved
- SAG-AFTRA: AI use needs actors' written consent every time.
- Game Companies: Prefer one-time approval in contracts.
Compensation for AI Use
- SAG-AFTRA: Pay per AI-generated work.
- Game Companies: One-time payment upfront, even if AI is later used to create extra content.
Using AI for Editing vs. Creating Performances
- Both sides agree that basic edits (like cleaning up audio, adjusting timing, or smoothing out voice lines) should still be allowed. The real debate is:
- SAG-AFTRA: Says AI shouldn’t be used to create entire new performances without approval.
- Game Companies: Want the freedom to use AI for some new performances without extra approval.
According to an update by Eurogamer on 12 March (Thursday), negotiators representing video game companies in talks with SAG-AFTRA have responded to the ongoing actors' strike.
Spokesperson Audrey Cooling stated that the companies have offered a proposal that includes "wage increases of over 15 per cent for SAG-AFTRA-represented performers in video games," along with improved health and safety protections. She also highlighted "industry-leading terms of use for AI digital replicas in-game" and additional pay when an actor's performance is used in other games.
Cooling added that meaningful progress had been made and that the companies are "eager to return to the bargaining table to reach a deal."
