Video Game Actors End Year-Long Strike After Landmark AI Agreement

The year-long strike by video game performers in the U.S. has officially come to an end following a decisive vote in favour of a new agreement that introduces industry-first protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence.

About 2,500 members of SAG-AFTRA – the union representing screen and voice actors – voted on the deal reached with ten major gaming companies, including Activision and Electronic Arts. According to the union, 95% of those who cast ballots supported the agreement, which includes wage increases, enhanced health and safety standards, and, crucially, rules governing AI use in performance replication.

The new Interactive Media Agreement marks a turning point in how AI can be used in gaming, particularly in replicating voice and motion capture work. Under the deal, companies are now required to obtain performer consent and disclose how AI-generated digital replicas will be used. The contract also gives performers the right to withdraw that consent, especially in the context of future labour disputes.

Talks between SAG-AFTRA and the gaming industry had been ongoing for 18 months before the strike began in July 2023. The most contentious issue revolved around motion capture actors whose performances were being treated as data – rather than creative contributions – making it easier for companies to recreate them without approval or compensation.

“We’re pleased to have reached a deal that respects the work of performers while also allowing technological innovation to continue responsibly,” said Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the video game companies. She highlighted the contract’s “historic” terms on wages and AI protections.

Veteran voice actor Ashly Burch, known for characters like Tiny Tina in Borderlands and Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn, said the strike was never about rejecting AI outright. “We just don’t want to be replaced by it,” she told BBC Newsbeat during the voting period. Burch emphasised that the main concern was about consent, transparency, and compensation – principles she said are now embedded in the new deal.

The issue hit home earlier this year when a prototype of an AI-powered version of Aloy leaked online, sparking strong backlash. “Everyone was like, ‘I don’t want AI performances in my games,’” Burch said, calling the response a clear message from fans.

Although the strike only affected U.S.-based projects under the union’s purview, its impact was widely felt. Some companies signed interim agreements to continue working with union actors under approved terms, allowing certain productions to proceed. One such project was Date Everything!, an indie game featuring over 70 voice actors, spearheaded by performers Robbie Daymond and Ray Chase.

Even so, Daymond acknowledged the strain the strike placed on many in the industry. “This was a long strike, and it’s had a real human impact,” he said, noting that many actors rely on short-term contracts across multiple projects to make a living.

For motion capture specialists, the pressure was especially intense. “If your whole career is based on mocap, AI becomes an existential threat,” Chase explained. He commended colleagues for standing firm despite the personal toll.

With the new agreement now in place, both actors and developers are breathing a sigh of relief. “Strikes are never easy,” Chase added. “But we’re just grateful we’ve reached a resolution that protects the future of this craft.”