Industry Video Game Actors Pass Agreement With Studios for AI Security
After nearly a year on strike, Hollywood’s video game voice and motion capture actors have forged a groundbreaking agreement with gaming studios, SAG-AFTRA announced Wednesday. The new contract prioritizes safeguards against the rising tide of artificial intelligence, signaling a major win for performers in the evolving entertainment landscape.
“AI became our North Star,” declared voice actor Sarah Elmaleh of the negotiation committee to Reuters, after the vote. “It was the soul of our proposal, and now it’s the future of our industry.”
“Voice acting titan, Elmaleh known for breathing life into iconic characters in Final Fantasy XV and Call of Duty: Black Ops III understands the stakes. She’s on a mission: to forge a moral compass for AI’s burgeoning role in gaming, ensuring its power is wielded responsibly.”
The recently enacted safeguards empower performers, demanding clear consent and transparent disclosure when AI crafts digital doppelgangers. More crucially, artists now wield the power to halt the AI machine during labor disputes, suspending consent for new material generation amidst strike action.
“With this AI agreement, we’ve moved the needle – and progress, sweet progress, is precisely what we’re after,” declared SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher.
Step into the sound booth with gaming’s titans! This deal harmonizes the talents behind Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions, and WB Games, promising an amplified gaming experience.
“Level Up Achieved! Video game performers score a major win as SAG-AFTRA members ratify a groundbreaking Interactive Media Agreement. Expect historic wage boosts, cutting-edge AI safeguards, and beefed-up health and safety perks. Audrey Cooling, voice for the video game studios, cheers the victory, signaling a new era for talent in the gaming world.”
The video game strike is officially GAME OVER! SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly approved the new Interactive Media Agreement with a resounding 95% vote, unleashing a wave of relief and restarting paused productions. The agreement, already in suspended animation pending this decision, is now fully activated, promising a fresh era of collaboration and innovation.
The new contract also offers more performer safety measures, which was a specific concern for motion capture video game performers.
“Elmaleh emphasized the profound dedication involved, stating, ‘These performers don’t just lend their voices; they invest their entire being, physically embodying these characters and pushing their limits in the process.'”
Motion capture actors will have medics available during high-risk jobs.
The curtain rises on a new era for performers! This landmark deal guarantees a powerful 15.17% pay boost the moment it’s ratified, plus an encore of 3% raises in November 2025, 2026, and 2027, ensuring continued growth and stability for artists.
Hollywood’s labor unrest echoes once more: Following 2023’s historic writers’ and actors’ strikes, video game voice actors and motion-capture performers have downed tools. The sticking point? Not just pay, but AI. Failed contract negotiations centered on safeguarding performers against the encroaching tech have triggered the industry’s latest work stoppage, raising critical questions about the future of creative labor in the age of artificial intelligence.
Hollywood’s strike ignited a firestorm, fueling demands for AI safeguards. Industry voices now rally for legislation, seeking protection against the looming risks of artificial intelligence.
Imagine a world where your voice, your face, your very essence could be stolen and replicated by artificial intelligence. That chilling possibility is what the NO FAKES Act aims to prevent. This bipartisan bill, now before Congress, seeks to outlaw unauthorized AI impersonations, offering vital protection for performers and creators. Hollywood heavyweights are lining up in support, with SAG-AFTRA, the Motion Picture Association, The Recording Academy, and Disney all backing the legislation. The message is clear: protect creative identity before it’s erased.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
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