Historic Video Game Actors’ Deal Ends Strike with Groundbreaking AI Protections
LOS ANGELES — After nearly a year-long strike, Hollywood video game voice and motion capture actors have reached a groundbreaking new agreement with major video game studios, spotlighting critical protections against misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in the gaming industry.
SAG-AFTRA announced Wednesday that the new Interactive Media Agreement was overwhelmingly ratified by 95% of members, bringing an end to the strike. The deal introduces vital safeguards, including consent and disclosure requirements for AI-generated digital replicas and gives performers the right to suspend consent for new AI-generated content during strikes.
Sarah Elmaleh, a prominent video game voice actor known for roles in Final Fantasy XV and Call of Duty: Black Ops III, explained that AI protections were the cornerstone of negotiations. “It was crucial to establish ethical standards on how AI is used in our industry,” she told Reuters.
The agreement covers major studios including Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Disney Character Voices, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions, and WB Games. Alongside AI rules, it also includes historic wage increases, enhanced health and safety measures for motion capture actors, and ongoing pay raises of 3% annually through 2027.
“For motion capture performers who put their bodies on the line, having medics on set during high-risk shoots is a major victory,” said Elmaleh.
This strike was part of a wider Hollywood labor movement in 2023, following the writers’ and actors’ strikes, all centered on protecting creative workers from the rapid rise of AI technology. The agreement coincides with growing support for the bipartisan NO FAKES Act, which aims to criminalize AI replication of individuals’ likeness or voice without permission — a bill backed by SAG-AFTRA, the Motion Picture Association, Disney, and others.
🌀 MainEvent.News Spin:
This historic agreement marks a turning point for creative professionals battling to safeguard their rights in the age of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to disrupt entertainment and technology, the video game industry’s landmark protections set a new standard for how digital likenesses and performances are respected and controlled. The strike’s resolution underscores the power of unified action and signals a wake-up call to industries facing similar AI challenges. MainEvent.News will continue to follow these evolving battles where innovation meets labor rights — because the future of entertainment depends on it.
