• Video game voice actors and motion-capture performers have brought Hollywood to a shutdown in a strike to demand protection against A.I.
  • The strike affects all performers under SAG-AFTRA after failed negotiations of over a year and a half with video game companies concerning content produced under the Interactive Media Agreement.
  • Video game companies have failed to affirm whether protection of performers covered under the contract will be enforced.

Hollywood has come to a stop again, as video game voice actors and motion-capture performers called for a strike starting Friday, July 26, 12:01 am, over failed labour contract negotiations concerning AI-related protection for workers.

The strike affects all performers under the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) union, after failed negotiations of over a year and a half with video game companies concerning content produced under the Interactive Media Agreement.

Companies like Electronic Arts, which produces Need for Speed, The Sims, and FIFA; Warner Bros Games, which produces Justice League, Legend of the Guardians, and Mortal Kombat; and Epic Games, which produces Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto, will be affected alongside seven others.

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Descher said in a statement that the union will not consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse Artificial Intelligence to the detriment of its members.

“When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live and work with, we will be here, ready to negotiate,” he said.

Read More

  1. Kenyan Journalists Demand Press Freedom Amid Brutal Police Crackdown
  2. The Dread of Misinformation Ails the Competence of Synergy
  3. U.S Embassy Pens a Peace Note to Kenyans and the Police Force

The Interactive Media Agreement negotiated by SAG-AFTRA contains provisions regarding the use of AI in interactive media projects, which video game companies have failed to affirm whether the protection of performers covered under the contract will be enforced.

Other issues SAG-AFTRA is after are medical treatment, breaks for motion-capture performers and higher pay, saying the pay for video game performers has not kept pace with inflation.

The strike comes months after another Hollywood strike, which saw actors and writers down their tools to demand higher royalties, mandatory staffing of TV writing rooms, and safeguarding of their jobs from the use of Artificial Intelligence.