SAG-AFTRA actors union reaches agreement with game companies to stop strike

The game companies and the SAG-AFTRA actors’ union have reached an agreement that is expected to end a long strike.

Once the terms of a strike suspension agreement are finalized with employers, the strike will be over. The strike was mainly about the rights of video game voice actors when it comes to the use of their voices or likenesses when it comes to the game companies’ use of AI to reproduce actors in their games.

Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the signatory video game companies have reached an agreement. The strike has been going on since July 26, 2024.

The companies include Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.

They have reached a tentative agreement on terms for the Interactive Media Contract, subject to review and approval by the national board and ratification by the membership in the coming weeks. Specific details of the agreement will be released with the ratification materials.

It is expected that the terms of a strike suspension agreement will be finalized with employers soon. Until such agreement is reached, however, SAG-AFTRA members will remain on strike against these employers.

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in a statement, “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 added, “Patience and persistence has resulted in a deal that puts in place the necessary A.I. guardrails that defend performers’ livelihoods in the A.I. age, alongside other important gains. Thank you, Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Chair Sarah Elmaleh and Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez for your hard work and advocacy in pursuit of this contract.”

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said in a statement, “Our video game performers stood strong against the biggest employers in one of the world’s most lucrative industries. Their incredible courage and persistence, combined with the tireless work of our negotiating committee, has at last secured a deal. The needle has been moved forward and we are much better off than before. As soon as this is ratified we roll up our sleeves and begin to plan the next negotiation. Every contract is a work in progress and progress is the name of the game.”

SAG-AFTRA members have been on strike against video game employers for 11 months. Prior to that, SAG-AFTRA members approved a video game strike authorization in September 2023 with a 98.32% yes vote. 

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world.