SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike provides long-awaited update; Strike to continue

The SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike has been going on for months against the use of real actors’ work in AI and is yet to see an end. In a recent post, the union’s chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree, provided an update on the situation, and it seems the strike will continue for a while. While the union has been successful across certain fronts, there are still many loophole that needs to be covered.

“Though progress has been made and agreements have been reached on certain provisions since we launched our strike last year, the last proposal the bargaining group made is still filled with alarming loopholes that will leave our members vulnerable to A.I. abuse,” the post said.

For now, Crabtree revealed that SAG-AFTRA has already submitted a counterproposal to address these loopholes that can result in talent exploitation. This will help all members have the protection they need to keep working and sustain themselves in the video game industry as performers.

SAG-AFTRA asks members to not be duped

While the process to cover those loopholes is in work, the union asked its members to be patient as the companies still want to use past performances from the actors that were not on contract in AI training. The actors will not be informed or compensated, and their likenesses can still be used if they agree to all terms now and go on another strike in the future.

“They want to be able to make your replica continue to work, as you, during a future strike, whether you like it or not. And once you’ve given your specific consent for how your replica can be used, they refuse to tell you what they actually did with it,” the statement added.

Also Read: Two games from Kojima Productions suffers delay due to SAG-AFTRA Strike

A silver lining for SAG-AFTRA union members

The negotiation against generative AI continues with the bargaining companies, however, Crabtree also reported that 160 games have now signed their interim and independent agreements. These terms are ‘feasible and acceptable’ to game companies of all sizes. Furthermore, the union will also release a Game Jam Waiver Agreement allowing developers to work with SAG-AFTRA members.