For the past 11 months, members of the SAG-AFTRA voice actors union have been on strike against video game companies after discussions related to performances being used without actor consent to teach AI tools broke down – and remained a sticking point through negotiations. However, the union members earned a victory last week, coming to a tentative agreement and ending the strike itself. Now we have a closer look at the interactive media agreement that both sides have come to, and it definitely appears to be good news for VOs.
In general summary, the three-year agreement’s terms include increases in pay, “guardrails” around AI such as required consent for AI tool uses, and guaranteed health provisions like rest periods for on-camera performers, medical staff on-site during performances featuring hazardous actions, and the end of stunts as part of virtual auditions. The agreement must be ratified by union members, but SAG-AFTRA’s board is recommending a “yes” vote for the contract.
Initial reactions to the news from professionals has already begun to trickle forth. Jennifer Hale, known in our circles for her roles in Guild Wars 2, shared relief at the ability to work again as well as appreciation for both the union and producers trying to reach an agreement, while actress Sena Bryer, who performs as the NPC Wuk Lamat in Final Fantasy XIV, called out the “nasty tactics” used by some actors to speed the strike along and get back to work. This agreement also doesn’t reach some of the actors for Genshin Impact, who are not part of SAG and are striking in an independent collective work refusal, according to Diluc VO Sean Chiplock.
