Game Voice Actors and Motion Capture Performers Go On Strike

[64K]

In a 98% Yes vote of the 160,000 performers in the SAG-AFTRA union are going on strike against Activision, Take-Two, Disney and EA and refusing to perform in future games until demands are met. They are demanding protections due to the use of Generative AI. They demand:

"Fair compensation and the right of informed consent for the AI use of their faces, voices, and bodies."

They already feel that Publishers/Developers are violating their rights and fear future escalation and flagrant exploitation. The game makers in negotiation with the union say they've already offered "meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation," with terms that are "among the strongest in the entertainment industry," but the union disagrees.

Some agreements were reached during the past 18 months of negotiations but not enough for the Union and it's members.

SAG-AFTRA last went on strike against the same Publishers/Developers in 2016 over residuals. The last strike did have some negative effect on games but iirc not a lot.

SAG-AFTRA Members Who Work on Video Games Go on Strike

A.I. Protections Remain the Sticking Point

www.sagaftra.org

Videogame voice actors are officially on strike over AI: 'We refuse this paradigm'

SAG-AFTRA actors will refuse to work for Activision, EA, Take-Two, and other major developers.

www.pcgamer.com

 

[Bones]

I'm thinking the career of "Actor" will begin to die down (Slowly phased out) as times passes for obvious reasons and those belonging to SAG-AFTRA know it, and that's why they're making a move now before their numbers are too small later to even matter.

When that happens actors, as in people as actors will become a thing of the past.....
Well, there would always be a few around at least I'd think but as a whole (Career/industry) that ship will sail and sink.

 

[eidairaman1]

I'm thinking the career of "Actor" will begin to die down (Slowly phased out) as times passes for obvious reasons and those belonging to SAG-AFTRA know it, and that's why they're making a move now before their numbers are too small later to even matter.

When that happens actors, as in people as actors will become a thing of the past.....
Well, there would always be a few around at least I'd think but as a whole (Career/industry) that ship will sail and sink.

AI caused Daft Punk to retire in 2020, if anything they Should Fight back

 

[JWNoctis]

Wish them luck. It's livelihoods we are talking about here. The displaced weavers and blacksmiths in 1800s had other jobs to go to. I don't think that's a given anymore these days.

Maybe one day "AI-free" arts, assets, and acting would be more of a selling point than it is now.

 

[ty_ger]

I fear that by choosing to not cooperate (going on strike), they have only assured their more rapid retirement. If big publishers already want to replace them with AI, what does being harder to work with accomplish? It sure doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.
Desperation. Publishers smell the blood in the water.