Stop overpaying - start transferring money with Ogvio. Sign up, invite friends & grab Rewards now! 🎁
Strike Over: SAG-AFTRA Secures AI Limits for Game Performers
Key Takeaways
- SAG-AFTRA members approved a new deal with game studios, which ended a strike over AI and job protections that began in July 2024;
- The agreement includes a 15.17% pay increase, yearly raises, and clear rules for using AI-generated voice or likeness;
- Major video gaming studios must get performer consent for digital replicas and cannot use AI stand-ins during future strikes.
Voice and performance actors working in video games have voted to accept a new labor agreement with gaming companies.
This marks the end of a long-standing strike over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in their work.
On July 9, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced that 95.04% of members approved the 2025 Interactive Media Agreement, which takes effect immediately.
Did you know?
Subscribe - We publish new crypto explainer videos every week!
Crypto Mining Explained: How to Earn From Mining Bitcoin? (Animated)
The agreement gives performers a 15.17% pay increase, followed by three yearly raises of 3%. It also requires game studios to get clear consent from performers before using digital replicas of their voices or likenesses.
The strike began in July 2024, as workers raised concerns about the use of generative AI, voice cloning, and job protections in the video game industry.
The deal applies to some of the biggest names in the industry, including Activision, Electronic Arts, Disney Character Voices, Warner Bros. Games, and Take-Two Productions. These companies will now follow the same kinds of labor standards that have already been agreed to in film and television.
A key part of the negotiations was what union leaders referred to as "strike suspension" protections.
Sarah Elmaleh, who chaired the union’s negotiating committee, told Variety that technology should not be used to replace workers who are on strike with artificial versions of themselves.
Recently, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) accused Perplexity of using its news content without permission. What did it say? Read the full story.