As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share the news that after painstaking negotiations with video game companies, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has finally announced the end of the 11-month video game actor strike. The strike officially concludes today, at 12 PM Pacific Time / 3 PM Eastern Time.
All SAG-AFTRA members have been given permission to resume their work duties, including promotional tasks. The union has scheduled a special gathering on June 12 to discuss the tentative agreement. If this proposal is accepted, it will then be put up for a vote among the union’s members. This is also when the complete details of the agreement will become public knowledge.
Back in July 2024, the gaming industry found itself right smack in the middle of a labor dispute. The union and game companies were haggling over various issues, but the thorny topic of AI was proving to be a real roadblock. It’s gonna be intriguing to see how this pans out, especially with regards to the safeguards that will (hopefully) be put in place to protect us from potential AI-related challenges.
In May, Steve Downes, the voice actor for Master Chief, discussed the significance of negotiating contracts that ensure performers have control over whether their voices can be replicated by artificial intelligence and utilized without their explicit consent.
Video game developers are said to have made a significant compromise regarding AI, though its nature remains unclear at present. Stay tuned to TopMob for updates on this developing story.
Back in the gaming world, I’ve been through this before – a strike by SAG-AFTRA actors. The last one, happening back in 2016-2017, lasted roughly eleven months. But let me tell you, it was worth it! We, the performers, managed to secure some fantastic benefits. For instance, we now earn over $100 per hour, and there’s even more to look forward to with bonuses added into the mix. It’s a win-win situation for us gamers too, as the quality of our performances is only going to get better with these improved working conditions!
Read More
2025-06-11 22:09