SAG-AFTRA Says It's Still 'Frustratingly Far Apart' From Games Industry Bargaining Group on AI Protections

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) recently updated its members on the ongoing negotiations regarding AI protections for video game actors. While some progress has been made, significant disagreements remain with the industry bargaining group, leaving the situation "frustratingly far apart."

A comparison chart highlights key sticking points: SAG-AFTRA seeks comprehensive AI protection covering all past and future work, while the bargaining group's proposal focuses only on future work. Disagreements also exist on defining "digital replica," with SAG-AFTRA advocating for a broader definition encompassing readily identifiable performances, vocal or movement-based, compared to the bargaining group's narrower "objectively identifiable" criteria. The inclusion of movement performers in the AI agreement, the terminology used to describe AI-generated performances ("real-time generation" vs. "procedural generation"), and the disclosure requirements regarding voice blending and chatbot applications are also contentious. Crucially, SAG-AFTRA's proposal withdraws consent for digital replica use during strikes, a condition the bargaining group opposes. Further disagreements center around the duration of consent for real-time generation (five years versus unlimited), minimum compensation for digital replica creation and use, and the inclusion of a bonus rights clause similar to the SAG-AFTRA TV/Film agreement, which SAG-AFTRA finds too broad. Finally, a system for tracking digital replica usage to ensure fair compensation is another point of contention.

Despite these unresolved issues, tentative agreements have been reached on bonus pay calculations, dispute resolution, aspects of minimum compensation, consent requirements, certain disclosures, and other elements. However, SAG-AFTRA disputes the bargaining group's assertion that a deal is imminent. National executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland cautioned members against undermining the strike by accepting work without adequate AI protections, emphasizing the risk of exploitation and replacement without consent or compensation.

In response, Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game industry bargaining group, stated that their proposal includes wage increases exceeding 15%, enhanced health and safety protections, industry-leading AI terms, and additional compensation for using actors' performances in other games. They expressed a desire to return to the bargaining table.

The eight-month-long SAG-AFTRA video game strike, initiated due to the lack of AI agreement, is visibly impacting the industry. Players have reported unvoiced NPCs in games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft. Following alleged strike subversion attempts, League of Legends was struck, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 characters were recast. Recently, two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors discovered their replacements via patch notes.