The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has provided an update to its members regarding ongoing negotiations with the video game industry over AI protections for actors. While some progress has been achieved, SAG-AFTRA acknowledges that they remain "frustratingly far apart" from the industry's bargaining group on several critical issues.
SAG-AFTRA has released a chart highlighting the disparities between their proposals and those of the bargaining group, which includes representatives from major AAA gaming companies. Key points of contention include:
- Protection from Digital Replica or Generative AI Use: SAG-AFTRA seeks protection for all work, not just future work post-agreement.
- Definition of "Digital Replica": The guild proposes including any performance, vocal or movement, "readily identifiable or attributable to" a performer. The bargaining group prefers "objectively identifiable," which SAG-AFTRA believes could exclude many performances.
- Inclusion of "Movement" Performers: SAG-AFTRA wants to include these performers in the generative AI agreement.
- Terminology for AI-Generated Performances: SAG-AFTRA suggests "real-time generation," while the bargaining group proposes "procedural generation," which the guild argues has a different meaning in gaming contexts.
- Disclosure Requirements: Disputes include whether employers must disclose blending voices for digital replicas and using voices for real-time chatbots versus scripted dialogue.
- Consent During Strikes: SAG-AFTRA proposes withdrawing consent for digital replica use during strikes, while employers want to continue using them, even on struck games.
- Duration of Consent for Real-Time Generation: SAG-AFTRA suggests a five-year limit, renewable, whereas the bargaining group seeks unlimited consent.
- Compensation for Digital Replica Use: There are disagreements on minimum payments, though tentative agreements have been reached on bonus pay calculations.
- Bonus Rights for Employers: The bargaining group's proposal, similar to the SAG-AFTRA TV/Film agreement, is considered too broad by the guild, potentially circumventing union rights.
- Tracking Digital Replica Use: SAG-AFTRA wants a system to ensure performers are paid appropriately, which the bargaining group deems unfeasible.
- Regulation of "Synthetic" Performers: Specific definitions and regulations for characters created entirely by generative AI systems are still under discussion.
Despite these disagreements, tentative agreements have been reached on issues like bonus pay, dispute resolution, certain minimum compensation elements, consent requirements, and some disclosures. However, SAG-AFTRA's leadership, including national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, has expressed concern that the bargaining employers are misrepresenting the proximity to a deal. Crabtree-Ireland warned members about the risks of accepting roles during the strike, emphasizing the potential for AI misuse to replace performers without consent or compensation.
In response, Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game industry bargaining group, stated that they have offered a deal with over 15% wage increases, enhanced health and safety protections, industry-leading AI terms, and additional compensation for cross-game use of performances. They are eager to continue negotiations to reach an agreement.
The SAG-AFTRA video game strike, now in its eighth month, was triggered by disagreements over AI provisions, despite 24 out of 25 other contract proposals being agreed upon. The strike's impact is becoming increasingly visible, with players noting unvoiced NPCs in games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft. Recent incidents include SAG-AFTRA striking League of Legends after Riot's alleged strike subversion, Activision recasting characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors discovering their replacement through patch notes.
