The Evolving Landscape of Video Game Performances: Actors Demand AI Protections and Fair Compensation

In the rapidly evolving world of video games, a new battleground has emerged as actors fight for their rights and recognition. As the industry faces a slowdown, gaming studios are increasingly turning to AI technologies to boost productivity, but this has raised concerns among performers who fear their work could be exploited without proper safeguards and compensation. The ongoing negotiations between the SAG-AFTRA union and video game studios have stalled, with both sides grappling with the complex issues surrounding the use of AI in digital replicas and the fair treatment of actors' contributions.

Actors Seek Robust Protections and Equitable Compensation in the Face of AI Advancements

The Collaborative Nature of Bringing Characters to Life

Andi Norris, a Los Angeles-based actor and stunt performer, knows firsthand the dedication and effort required to breathe life into video game characters. From running and jumping on all fours for hours on end to interpreting directors' instructions, Norris' work is a collaborative process that brings these digital creations to life. However, she now faces a growing concern that her motion capture work could be considered mere "data" rather than a performance, potentially allowing gaming studios to use her recorded movements without consent and create AI replicas without proper compensation.

Ongoing Negotiations and the Sticking Points

The interactive media contract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and video game studios have been ongoing since 2022, but they have stalled due to disagreements over AI protections. The video game actors' strike, which began on July 26, follows the previous Hollywood TV and theatrical strike, where the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA walked out over concerns about wages, streaming, and AI protections.The key point of contention lies in how AI can be used for "digital replicas" and whether actors can be compensated for them. According to SAG-AFTRA, the studios' current proposals only protect and compensate for replicas if the performance is readily identifiable and attributable to the actor. However, actors argue that this interpretation leaves loopholes, as they often create characters that do not sound similar to their normal voices. Moreover, stunt performers say this requirement neglects the composite nature of characters, which are a blend of different motion captures.

The Evolving Landscape of AI in Gaming

These negotiations take place against the backdrop of a slowdown in the $200 billion video game industry. Hardware sales have dropped, and game developers are cutting thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, companies like Activision Blizzard are turning to generative AI tools to reduce costs and increase productivity after facing losses.Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the video game companies involved in the interactive media negotiations, stated that the studios and the union have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 of the proposals. The studios claim that their AI proposal would require them to seek prior consent and pay actors fairly if they want to use a digital replica of an actor to generate a new performance in a game, which they believe are robust protections consistent with or better than other entertainment industry agreements.

Embracing AI: Opportunities and Challenges

Not all actors oppose the use of AI in the industry. Linsay Rousseau, an actor who has lent her voice to characters in games like "God of War Ragnarök" and "Deathloop," has invested in Ethovox, a voice AI model that sources and compensates actors to create digital replicas. Rousseau sees the potential for AI to open up new avenues of revenue for voice actors, such as providing scratch work for video games.However, the lack of transparency and control over these AI tools can create unintended consequences. Connor Fogarty, a Los Angeles-based voice actor, has encountered instances where AI-generated versions of his voice were used without his permission, such as in a "Dead by Daylight" TikTok video created by a fan. Fogarty emphasizes the need for clear guidelines and consent when it comes to the use of actors' voices and likenesses in AI-generated content.

The Limitations of AI in Capturing the Nuances of Performance

Actors who have worked in the industry argue that one of the common misconceptions about AI is that it is faster at interpreting directions and delivering performances that bring a character to life. Sarah Elmaleh, a "Star Wars: Squadrons" and "Fortnite" voiceover actor and director, emphasizes the complexity of the human experience, association, and imagination that goes into crafting a compelling performance.Voice actor Sean Rohani, who has been featured in "Just Cause 4" and "League of Legends," recounts an instance where a director requested a line delivery about bravery in the face of fear. Rohani was able to draw upon a personal experience to infuse the line with genuine emotion and nuance, something that AI may struggle to replicate. Elmaleh warns that studios using AI to replace actors might find themselves with reductive products, as the "bespoke, human touch" is essential for creating standout performances.As the video game industry navigates the evolving landscape of AI and digital replicas, the ongoing negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the studios will continue to shape the future of how actors are recognized, protected, and compensated for their contributions. The outcome of these discussions will have far-reaching implications for the industry, as it grapples with balancing technological advancements and the preservation of the human element that has long been the hallmark of captivating video game experiences.