Video Game Actors' Strike Nears Resolution: SAG-AFTRA and Major Companies Reach Tentative Deal
The ongoing video game actors’ strike is on the verge of reaching a resolution as the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and major video game companies have reached a tentative deal on the terms for the Interactive Media Contract after months of negotiations. SAG-AFTRA's national executive director, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, expressed gratitude for the efforts of video game performers and the negotiating committee in reaching this agreement, which includes important protections for performers in the age of artificial intelligence (A.I.).
The terms of the deal will undergo review and approval by SAG’s National Board and the ratification of the SAG-AFTRA membership in the upcoming weeks. Once ratified, the details of the agreement will be made public along with the ratification materials. A strike suspension agreement is expected to be finalized with the video game companies soon, and SAG-AFTRA members will continue the strike until a final deal is reached.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher commended the video game performers for their resilience and determination in standing up to the industry giants. The union's negotiating committee's efforts have led to significant progress in securing a favorable deal for the performers. Drescher emphasized the importance of continuous negotiation and improvement in every contract.
The video game actors’ strike began on July 16, 2024, following 18 months of negotiations, with the main issue being SAG-AFTRA's concerns regarding consent and compensation for the use of AI replicas. Negotiations for the new agreement started in October 2022, and the union's members authorized the strike with an overwhelming 98.32% vote last September. This strike marks the second time SAG-AFTRA has taken action against video game companies, with the previous strike occurring in October 2016 and ending in September 2017 after a year-long battle for a residual compensation structure.
In conclusion, the video game actors’ strike is nearing its end as SAG-AFTRA and major video game companies have reached a tentative deal on the terms for the Interactive Media Contract. The upcoming ratification process and finalization of the strike suspension agreement will mark a significant milestone in the resolution of the strike, bringing relief to the performers and paving the way for future negotiations and improvements in the industry.