SAG-AFTRA Strikes Against Video Game Studios

In scenes reminiscent of 2023's actor and writers strikes, members of SAG-AFTRA began picketing outside Warner Bros studios, as part of their strike against video game studios.

Chief negotiator at SAG-AFTRA Duncan Crabtree-Ireland is at the forefront of the operation, and once again, it revolves around artificial intelligence, AI.

"There's no reason there should have had to be a take two of this situation," Crabtree-Ireland said.

"The video game companies are rightly isolated. When you look at the studios, the streamers, the record labels, we've been able to achieve the necessary protections for our members with all of those companies. And yet, for some reason, the video game companies refuse to make the same fair deal," he said.

One of the major sticking points is the lack of recognition for motion capture actors, whose likenesses are already being fed into AI systems.

The decision to strike follows months of negotiations with major video game companies including Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Disney Character Voices and Warner Bros Discovery's WB Games.

However, major video game publishers including Electronic Arts and Take-Two will likely stave off a big hit from the strike due to their in-house studios and the lengthy development cycles for games, analysts have said.

The strike also brings with it a larger call to action across Hollywood as people in the industry advocate for a law that can protect them from AI risks as well.

The no fakes act, a bipartisan bill in Congress which would make it illegal to make an AI replica of someone's likeness and voice without their permission, has gained support from the SAG-AFTRA performers union, the Motion Picture Association, The Recording Academy and Disney.

From Grammy-winning artist Taylor Swift to Vice President Kamala Harris, leaders in entertainment and beyond say deep fakes created from AI are a pressing policy matter.