The Hollywood video game performer finished a nearly year-long strike on Wednesday, completing new protections against the use of digital replicas of voice and appearance. When using these replicas, the actor must pay at a fee comparable to in-person work.
The SAG-AFTRA Union called for stronger wages and better working conditions. Among their biggest concerns was the possibility that artificial intelligence could replace human actors without compensation or consent.
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AI consent is needed now
Under the deal announced in media releases, studios such as Activision and Electronic Arts must obtain written consent from performers before creating a digital replica of their work. The actor has the right to suspend consent to the material generated by the AI in the event of another strike.
“The deal will enable us to enhance historical wage growth, industry-leading AI protection and measures of health and safety for our performers,” said Audrey Couling, a spokesman for video game producers, in the release.
The full list of studios includes Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions and WB Games.
Members approve overwhelming support
According to the announcement, SAG-AFTRA members approved the contract by voting between 95.04% and 4.96%.
The contract includes an additional 3% raise in November 2025, 2026 and 2027, including wage increases of 15% or more. The contract expires in October 2028.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher praised the union's negotiation team. “This transaction is achieving significant advancements in AI protection,” she said. “And progress is the name of the game.”
Union National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree Ireland added, “Patience and tenacity have led to a deal that introduces the necessary AI guardrails to protect the livelihoods of performers in the AI era.”
How was this strike different from a Hollywood actor's strike?
The Video Game Strike, which launched in July 2024, did not close production like the SAG-AFTRA actor's strike in 2023. The Hollywood actor took a 118-day strike from July 14th to November 9th, 2023, and stopped working on almost all scripted television and film.
The strike, centered around streaming residues and AI concerns, prevented actors from participating in promotional tasks such as attending the premiere or posting on social media.
In contrast, video game performers were allowed to work during strikes, but only with companies that signed interim agreements addressing concerns related to AI. More than 160 companies have signed on, according to the Associated Press.
Still, the year was a victim.
“I hope people realize that when the strikes are this long and long and how serious people are to them, it has a real human impact,” voice actor Robbie Daymond told the BBC.
Both actor strikes and video game actor strikes have highlighted how the emerging AI technology can utilize performers' voices and portraits. Their demands reflect broader efforts in Congress, including the bipartisan No-Fakes Act, which aims to create legal guardrails for replicas generated by fraudulent AI.
Looking ahead in the industry
The SAG-AFTRA leader says he's not finished his job.
“There are deals that are going on and we are trapped in a lot of very important protections and guardrails, but we're still fighting for them what we haven't achieved,” Crabtree Ireland told The Associated Press. “Every time these contracts expire, there's a chance to improve them.”
Ian Kennedy (Video Editor Manager)
I contributed to this report.
