SAG-AFTRA Ends Video Game Voice Actor Strike After Yearlong Dispute

It's official — the video game voice actor and performer strike has concluded.

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) confirmed reaching a "tentative agreement" on the interactive media contract earlier this week, potentially ending nearly a year of industrial action in the video game sector. The union officially suspended strike activities as of noon PT on June 11.

The labor dispute began in July 2024 when negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and major game companies — including Activision, Electronic Arts, and WB Games — stalled over AI-related provisions. An overwhelming 98% of union members voted to authorize the strike.

While final ratification remains pending — with a special meeting scheduled for June 12 to review the agreement terms — the settlement will soon be presented to union members for approval if everything proceeds as planned.

This development means voice performers can resume work while minimizing disruptions for players. During the strike, titles like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft featured unvoiced NPCs in scenes that typically included dialogue. The conflict escalated late last year when Riot Games allegedly attempted to circumvent strike actions regarding League of Legends, prompting SAG-AFTRA intervention. Other notable impacts included Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 recasting voice roles and Epic Games facing NLRB complaints after introducing an AI-generated Darth Vader in Fortnite.

The controversy surrounding AI usage gained particular attention following an incident involving Horizon voice actress Ashly Burch. A since-deleted video showed Sony developers interacting with an AI-generated version of Burch's character Aloy, featuring robotic speech and unnatural facial animations that clearly differed from the original performance.

"Permission, fair compensation, and transparency about AI usage are non-negotiable," Burch previously stated. "This fight wasn't just about protecting current performers, but ensuring future generations can continue bringing characters to life through authentic performances."