SAG-AFTRA Strikes 'Tentative Deal' with Game Companies on AI Performer Safeguards

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has announced a "tentative agreement" on the interactive media contract, signaling a potential resolution to nearly a year of industrial action within the video game industry.

The SAG-AFTRA video game strike began in July 2024, following a breakdown in negotiations between the union and major game companies—including Activision, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions, and WB Games—over concerns regarding AI-related provisions. An overwhelming majority of members—over 98%—voted in favor of authorizing the strike.

Initially, the impact of the strike was unclear. However, over time, players began noticing changes in various games. For instance, some voiced scenes in titles like *Destiny 2* and *World of Warcraft* featured unvoiced NPCs, likely due to the ongoing labor dispute. Later in the year, SAG-AFTRA escalated its actions by striking *League of Legends* after Riot reportedly attempted to circumvent the strike by canceling scheduled recording sessions. Meanwhile, Activision confirmed that several characters in *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6* were recast amid player concerns about altered voice performances.

The union has now confirmed it has reached a "tentative agreement," pending review and approval by its national board. While official ratification is still underway, it’s anticipated that strike activities will be suspended shortly. Until then, however, SAG-AFTRA performers will remain on strike against these employers.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, expressed gratitude for the perseverance shown throughout the strike. “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,” he stated.

“Patience and persistence have resulted in a deal that establishes essential AI protections to safeguard performers' livelihoods in the age of artificial intelligence, along with other significant advancements.”

In related developments, SAG-AFTRA filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Epic Games after the company introduced an AI-voiced Darth Vader NPC in *Fortnite*. The union alleged that Llama Productions—owned by Epic Games—had failed to engage in good-faith bargaining with SAG-AFTRA representatives over the past six months and had implemented unilateral changes by using AI-generated voices to replace work typically performed by union actors.

This issue gained further attention earlier this year when Ashly Burch, the voice actress behind Aloy in the *Horizon* series, responded to a leaked AI-generated Aloy video. In her statement, she used the incident to highlight the broader concerns of voice actors involved in the ongoing strike.

“What we’re fighting for is simple: you must get our consent before creating an AI version of us in any form, you must fairly compensate us for such use, and you must disclose how that AI double will be deployed,” Burch explained.

“I’m not afraid because the technology exists or because studios want to use it. Of course they do—they always seek to leverage technological innovation. What worries me is the possibility of a video like this being released with someone’s performance embedded in it—be it their voice, face, or movement—and that person having no legal recourse. No safeguards. No way to push back. That possibility saddens me deeply. It genuinely frightens me. I love this industry and the art of game performance so much. I want to see a new generation of actors thrive here. I want countless more incredible performances in gaming. But if we don’t win this fight, that future is at serious risk.”