Actors and Game Developers Renew Negotiations: Seeking AI Protections for Performers

The entertainment industry is abuzz with news of the impending negotiations between the performers' union SAG-AFTRA and the major gaming companies. After a prolonged strike by video game actors over artificial intelligence (AI) protections, the two sides are set to return to the bargaining table, signaling a potential resolution to the long-standing dispute.

Unlocking the Future: Actors Demand AI Safeguards in Gaming

Returning to the Negotiating Table

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the game developers have announced that they will resume negotiations on October 23rd. This marks the first time the parties have met at the bargaining table since the video game actors went on strike in July.The companies represented in the negotiations include industry heavyweights such as Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc. This diverse group of game developers underscores the significance of the ongoing dispute and the potential impact it could have on the industry.

The Actors' Demands: Protecting Voices and Likenesses

The core of the dispute revolves around the actors' demand for a contract that would require game developers to notify them, inform them about how their work will be used, and obtain their consent before replicating their voices or likenesses with AI technology. This is a critical issue for the performers, who are seeking to safeguard their creative contributions and ensure they are fairly compensated for the use of their work.The strike, which has involved roughly 2,600 performers doing voice-over and motion-capture work in the video game industry, has been ongoing since the contract negotiations broke down over these AI protections. The actors are determined to secure these rights, recognizing the potential impact of AI on their livelihoods and the need to establish clear guidelines for the use of their digital personas.

The Expanding Scope of the Walkout

The strike has not been limited to a select few games, as SAG-AFTRA has expanded the scope of the work stoppage to include the popular game "League of Legends." This move was an effort to punish the audio company Formosa Interactive, which the union alleges has violated the terms of the walkout.Formosa, which provides voice-over services to "League of Legends," has denied the union's allegations and has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. This escalation highlights the high stakes involved in the ongoing dispute and the determination of both sides to protect their respective interests.

The Ripple Effect: Agreements and Exemptions

Despite the ongoing strike, the makers of at least 80 games have reached side deals with SAG-AFTRA, agreeing to follow the union's AI rules in exchange for a strike pardon. This demonstrates the reasonableness of the actors' demands, as Sarah Elmaleh, the chair of SAG-AFTRA's video game negotiating committee, has stated.However, not all games are subject to the walkout, as the union has made strategic decisions to exempt certain titles from the strike. This selective approach underscores the complexity of the negotiations and the need for both sides to find a balanced solution that addresses the concerns of the performers while also considering the practical realities of the gaming industry.

The Larger Context: Expiring Agreements and Evolving Landscape

The current negotiations take place against the backdrop of the larger interactive media agreement between the union and the game companies, which is set to expire in November 2022. This expiration date adds a sense of urgency to the negotiations, as both parties seek to reach a new agreement that will govern the industry's practices and protect the rights of the performers.The ongoing dispute and the impending negotiations highlight the evolving nature of the gaming industry and the need for all stakeholders to adapt to the changing landscape. As technology, including AI, continues to shape the creative process, the actors and the game developers must find a way to collaborate and ensure that the performers' contributions are recognized and fairly compensated.The return to the bargaining table represents a critical juncture in this long-standing dispute, and the outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching implications for the video game industry and the performers who bring these virtual worlds to life.