Back in 2016, SAG-AFTRA went on strike over failed negotiations with 11 American video game developers and publishers. That strike lasted almost a year before an agreement was reached on a new contract. At the time, it was the longest strike, 340 days, in SAG history.
SAG-AFTRA's interactive media contract has since expired and negotiations have unfortunately broken down again creating a SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike.
A new Interactive Media contract needs to be agreed upon between SAG & the top video game companies in the US.
Video Game Companies Involved
Most of these are the same companies that were involved in the previous Interactive Media Agreement. It’s no doubt you have heard of most of these video game companies:
Activision Blizzard Productions, Electronic Arts Productions, Epic Games, Take 2 Productions (Rockstar & 2k are 2 of their divisions), Insomniac Games, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Formosa Interactive, VoiceWorks Productions and WB Games.
3 Key Areas of Negotiations
Artificial Intelligence: fighting for protective language on AI that will require informed consent and appropriate payment for the creation and use of digital replicas and for the use of their members’ performances to train AI systems.
Safety: mandatory rest breaks (same five-minutes-per-hour rest period as off-camera performers) and vocal stress protection and on-set medics during stunts or other hazardous work.
Wage Increases: 11% retroactive wage increase & 4% increases in the second and third years of the contract
Equity UK, the UK actors union has shown solidarity with the current strike and will no doubt continue if video games are added to it, which seems likely. Whether you are a Union, Non-Union, SAG-E, or Fi-Core Actor or a even a consumer of games, it is important to stand together #SAGStrong.
For more information on the SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media (Video Game) Strike check the SAG website for the latest updates.
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