The SAG-AFTRA union and the video game industry bargaining group remain at odds, with progress on AI protections still 'frustratingly distant.'
The update was announced in the absence of actors in their respective roles.
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing screen and radio actors, has released a new chart outlining the issues related to artificial intelligence (AI) that still need to be resolved in negotiations with the video game industry group. The chart highlights that the parties remain "frustratingly distant" regarding protections for voice actors in video games.
The chart details the current discrepancies between SAG-AFTRA and the negotiating group, made up of representatives from video game publishing companies. The elements highlighted in purple indicate those points that have been tentatively agreed upon, though many crucial topics remain under discussion. These include protections against the use of digital replicas or generative AI for all types of work, as well as the obligation for employers to disclose if an actor's voice will be mixed with others to create a digital replica.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA, conveyed to union members that employers are feeling the pressure from the strike, as ongoing projects are being affected. This has led some companies to seek out other performers who can be exploited to fill empty roles, putting actors who accept those roles at risk without adequate protections against the misuse of AI.
For her part, the spokesperson for the negotiating group, Audrey Cooling, responded that they have proposed an agreement that includes salary increases of over 15% for performers represented by SAG-AFTRA, in addition to improvements in health and safety protections, and usage conditions for digital replicas in video games. Cooling mentioned that significant progress has been made and they are willing to return to the negotiating table to reach an agreement.
As negotiations continue, several popular video games have featured characters without voices. Titles such as Destiny 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero have been particularly affected. Recently, actors Emeri Chase and Nicholas Thurkettle spoke about how they were replaced in their respective roles of Soldier 11 and Von Lycaon due to their refusal to work without a SAG agreement during the strike.
Chase commented in a conversation on Bluesky that their replacement was due to their decision not to participate in work not covered by the union's interim agreement. Thurkettle, although not a SAG member, also expressed concern about the risks posed by the use of AI in the industry, noting that he had to turn down a significant professional opportunity to demand adequate protections.
