update: 6/11/25
Following yesterday's news that SAG-AFTRA has reached a temporary agreement with signing game companies such as Activision, Disney, EA and Epic Games, the union has announced that ongoing video game actor Strike will close today with Noon Pt/3 PM ET. The strike began several months after a failed negotiation last July.
“All SAG-AFTRA members are instructed to return to production work under the IMA (Interim Interactive Media Agreement), including promotion or public projects for projects created by the IMA,” the press release reads. “The SAG-AFTRA National Committee will consider the interim agreement at its special session tomorrow, June 12, 2025. If approved, it will be submitted for ratification by union membership in accordance with established policies. At that time the details of the agreement will be announced.”
A spokesman for the Interactive Media Agreement's Video Game Producer Party provided the following statement Game Inforter:
“We are pleased to have reached a temporary contract agreement that reflects the important contributions of SAG-AFTRA representative performers in video games. This agreement is based on a 30-year successful partnership between the interactive entertainment industry and the union. We look forward to working with performers to create new and engaging entertainment experiences for billions of players around the world.”
The original story continues below…
Original Story: 6/10/25
The video game actor's strike over AI concerns last July could soon be over. SAG-AFTRA is based on Activision Productions Inc., Blanklight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games LLC, Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc., WB Games Inc.
The contract will be subject to review and approval by the National Committee and will be subject to ratification by members in the coming weeks, with the conditions expected. According to SAG-AFTRA, the suspension of strike agreement will soon be confirmed as an employer. Once the agreement is finalized, the strike that began on July 16th last year will end. However, the strike will continue until the contract is finalized.
“Everyone at SAG-AFTRA is extremely grateful for the sacrifices made by video game performers and the dedication of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiation Committee through the last few months of video game strikes. “Patience and tenacity, along with other important benefits, has led to a deal that introduces the necessary AI guardrails to protect the livelihoods of performers in the AI era.”
In the same press release, Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, wrote: “Our video game performers stood strong against the biggest employers of the world's most lucrative industry. Their incredible courage and tenacity, coupled with the tireless work of the negotiation committee, finally secured a deal. Negotiations are ongoing work, and progress is the name of the game.”
The aforementioned strike began last July. SAG-AFTRA members approved strike approval in September 2023 Yes voted at 98.32%. While SAG-AFTRA executives sound happy with the contract, they don't know how they will address AI and other concerns that have led to the strike until ratification materials are officially released in the coming weeks.
