UPDATE 26/07/24: Video game producers negotiating as part of the Interactive Media Agreement have responded to news of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
“We are disappointed the union has chosen to walk away when we are so close to a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations,” reads a statement from spokesperson for the video game producers party to the Interactive Media Agreement, Audrey Cooling, shared with Eurogamer.
“We have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions. Our offer is directly responsive to SAG-AFTRA’s concerns and extends meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the IMA. These terms are among the strongest in the entertainment industry.”
ORIGINAL STORY 25/07/24: Video game performers within United States actors union SAG-AFTRA have voted to go on strike starting Friday, 26th July, after “more than than a year and a half of negotiations” with major game companies over the use of AI have failed to reach a deal.
SAG-AFTRA members initially voted in favour of (but did not immediately take) strike action last September, after the union failed to reach a consensus with video game producers – including Activision, Warner Bros, EA, Take-Two, and Disney – while attempting to negotiate a successor to the Interactive Media Agreement, which covers members’ work on games.
At the time, SAG-AFTRA said companies had refused to offer acceptable terms on critical issues, including wages in-line with inflation, protections around exploitative uses of AI, and job safety.
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