Actors' Union Stands Firm in Video Game Strike Negotiations

The ongoing actors' strike against video game publishers has reached a critical juncture, with both sides expressing optimism about reaching an agreement. However, the union, SAG-AFTRA, is considering a bold tactic to amplify their demands – a formal boycott that could significantly disrupt the industry during the lucrative holiday season.

Leveraging Collective Power to Protect Performers' Rights

Navigating the Complexities of AI and Performance Capture

The primary sticking point in the negotiations revolves around the use of generative AI in video games, particularly in relation to motion and performance capture. SAG-AFTRA argues that video game companies are attempting to create a repository of actors' performances that they can exploit without consent or fair compensation, a practice the union deems unacceptable. The publishers, on the other hand, contend that motion capture work is largely an amalgamation of various performers' contributions, making it challenging to account for individual compensation.SAG-AFTRA's executive director, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, firmly rejects the publishers' justifications, stating that video games, like movies and television, are collaborative works that require the talents of all types of performers. He emphasizes that when a game company hires a performance capture, movement, or stunt performer, they are doing so because of the unique contribution that individual makes to the game. Crabtree-Ireland argues that the publishers' attempts to divide performers and treat voice actors and on-camera actors differently is fundamentally flawed.

Expanding the Scope of the Strike

In a recent development, SAG-AFTRA has called a strike against the popular game "League of Legends," which was previously exempt from the strike. The union accused the game's developer, Formosa Interactive, of attempting to cancel a different game during the work stoppage. Formosa, a member of the contract bargaining team, has responded by stating that they are a longstanding employer of union talent and are committed to reaching a fair deal.The companies involved in the negotiations alongside Formosa include industry giants such as Activision Productions, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, and Warner Bros. Games. Despite the high-profile nature of these companies, SAG-AFTRA remains steadfast in its demands, with Crabtree-Ireland emphasizing that the union's members do not want to be on strike, but feel compelled to do so to protect their rights and interests.

Leveraging Existing Agreements as a Blueprint

As the negotiations continue, SAG-AFTRA has noted that a significant number of video game companies have already signed either the union's proposed Interim Media Agreement or the Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Agreement. This includes the game "Last Sentinel" by Lightspeed LA, which Crabtree-Ireland cites as an example of a developer that has aligned with the union's values regarding AI and performance capture.The language of these existing agreements, which are publicly available, serves as a blueprint for the union's demands. Crabtree-Ireland expresses hope that the larger publishers will come around to the terms that have already been accepted by the smaller brands, stating that the union is open to reasonable adjustments to the language if it can help facilitate a deal.

The Threat of a Formal Boycott

Amid the ongoing negotiations, SAG-AFTRA is considering the possibility of enacting a formal boycott, a tactic they did not employ during last year's TV and film studio strike. Crabtree-Ireland acknowledges that this is a tool in the union's toolkit, emphasizing that these businesses rely on both supply and demand. While the strike has disrupted the supply of labor, the union has yet to seriously disrupt the demand, and the upcoming holiday period could be an opportune time to deploy such a campaign.The union's executive director emphasizes that they have the support of the AFL-CIO and its 15 million union members, as well as the general public, who have shown concern about AI abuses and their potential impact. Crabtree-Ireland suggests that a formal boycott could be a powerful tactic to compel the video game publishers to reach a fair agreement with the union.As the negotiations continue, the stakes remain high for both sides. SAG-AFTRA's unwavering stance and the threat of a formal boycott underscore the union's determination to protect the rights and interests of its members, even in the face of powerful industry players. The outcome of these negotiations could have far-reaching implications for the future of performance capture and the use of AI in the video game industry.