SAG-AFTRA Suspends Video Game Strike After Securing Tentative Deal With Major Developers
SAG-AFTRA has officially suspended its strike against some of the major video game developers, nearly two days after securing a tentative new contract.
The union announced Wednesday that the work stoppage will end at 12 p.m. PT. The strike suspension has received the consent of both the Interactive Media Agreement negotiating committee as well as National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
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While the deal reached earlier this week still needs the approval of the National Board and the membership at large, SAG-AFTRA members will now be able to return to work on productions under the Interactive Media Agreement, including publicity and promotion.
The union says its National Board is set to meet Thursday to consider the agreement. If approved, it will be sent to membership for ratification. This is also when SAG-AFTRA is expected to release details regarding the contract.
SAG-AFTRA went on strike against the signatories of the Interactive Media Agreement in July 2024. The sides had bargained on and off for more than a year by then, operating without a contract since November 2022.
Artificial intelligence was the big sticking point in these negotiations. The contract covers voice and performance-capture talent on video games, and the union has repeatedly sounded the alarm on how AI could negatively impact these professions.
The gamer companies involved in this contract are Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions and WB Games.
'We are pleased to have reached a tentative contract agreement that reflects the important contributions of SAG-AFTRA-represented performers in video games,' a spokesperson for the companies said Wednesday. 'This agreement builds on three decades of successful partnership between the interactive entertainment industry and the union. It delivers historic wage increases of over 24% for performers, enhanced health and safety protections, and industry-leading AI provisions requiring transparency, consent and compensation for the use of digital replicas in games. We look forward to continuing to work with performers to create new and engaging entertainment experiences for billions of players throughout the world.'
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