The online gaming industry is experiencing a labor dispute. The union representing voice and motion-capture actors threatened to strike on Thursday after negotiations with major video game companies collapsed due to disagreements regarding AI protections. The union’s planned work stoppage is slated to begin on Friday.
Fran Drescher, president of the Display screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, stated firmly in a prepared statement: “We won’t agree to a contract that allows companies to exploit AI at the expense of our members.” “Sufficient is sufficient. “When these companies become obstinate about delivering a satisfactory agreement for our members, we’ll be here, ready to negotiate.”
Actors from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have gathered in San Diego for a series of panels and public appearances. Despite the sudden strike notice, they will still be able to fulfill their commitments this weekend, given its close proximity to the event, which concludes on Sunday. What does ‘Solidarity’ mean to you? Voice actor Erika Ishii shares her thoughts on X. After negotiations settle, we’ll honor existing contracts at SDCC; thereafter, our focus will shift to maintaining the convention’s infrastructure. Last year’s Hollywood shutdown severely limited the number of performers able to participate in Comic-Con events.
Tensions surrounding artificial intelligence between Screen Actors Guild (SAG) members and leading online gaming companies have reached a boiling point over the past few months. Dialogue commenced intensively between the two parties in October 2022. As of September 2023. “Despite eighteen months of arduous negotiations, SAG’s negotiating chair, Sarah Elmaleh, has concluded that employers are more interested in exploiting cheap AI protections than implementing genuine, cost-effective measures.” “We reject this paradigm—no one gets left behind, and we will no longer accept a lack of safeguards.”
In the thriving online game industry, voice acting talent often lends their distinctive tone, physical appearance, and motion capture expertise to bring characters to life. Voice command integration and advanced motion capture technology are crucial components in sports performance enhancement, coinciding with the emergence of AI-powered gaming. Despite progress in various areas, online game companies and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) have struggled to establish a consistent footing with AI.
The online gaming companies involved in the negotiations expressed disappointment that the union chose to abandon talks just as a deal was almost finalized, stating that they are prepared to resume discussions. The group comprises companies aligned with Activision, Disney, Electronic Arts, Insomniac Games, Take-Two Interactive, and Warner Bros. , amongst others.
“After conducting a thorough review, we’ve found that 24 out of 25 proposals have resulted in consistent wage growth, accompanied by historically strong safety measures.” “Our platform providers are promptly informed about SAG-AFTRA’s concerns and offer substantial AI safeguards, which entail obtaining explicit consent and fair remuneration for all artists involved in productions governed by the IMA agreement.” Among the most potent in the leisure industry’s arsenal.
