Actors are ready to go on strike in the video game industry

The video game industry may soon face an unprecedented crisis. 98.32% of members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which also includes many actors involved in video game projects, approved to go on strike unless they reach an agreement with the companies.

It’s worth noting that this approval does not guarantee a strike in the video game industry at this time. However, it confirms the right of translators to suspend work if necessary. In fact, the union mentions that still negotiating with game development companies to resolve the situation.

The problem is that there is no solution at the moment. Actually, Talking since October 2022. and almost a year later there is no noticeable progress. Obviously, video game companies don’t take kindly to actors’ requests. Yes, this is a panorama, very similar to what we see in the world of cinema.

Among the companies sitting at the negotiating table are Electronic Arts, Activision, Warner Bros. Games, Epic Games, Insominiac Games, Take-Two Interactive, Disney Character Voices Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC and VoiceWorks Productions Inc. We are talking about real giants. video game industry, which could seriously hurt if there is an actors’ strike.

The requirements, by the way, are similar to those that resonate in the film industry. In general, they strive to improve working conditions in video game studios. They intend to achieve an 11% increase in salaries and stop the unregulated use of artificial intelligence..

Fran Drescherthe union president, who also led the Hollywood strike, stated the following:

“It’s time for video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract. The result of this vote shows that our members understand the nature of negotiations and that it is time “for these companies that make billions of dollars and pay their directors handsomely to give our artists a deal that will allow them to have a career in video games.”

Fran Drescher.

For his part, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s director of negotiations, commented: Five rounds of negotiations have already been held with video game companies.. However, he adds that they “don’t want to be involved” in deciding critical points of the contract. That is, the economic issue and what is related to artificial intelligence.

“Due to the disproportionate use of artificial intelligence and low wages, those who work in video games face many of the same problems that already exist in film and television. This strike authorization is a strong statement that we must reach an agreement that compensates these talented actors in a fair manner that provides them with safety measures and allows them to work with dignity. Our members’ livelihoods depend on it,” said Ray Rodriguez, SAG-AFTRA Contracts Manager.

Thus, if the actors’ union does not reach a new contract with video game companies in the coming weeks, a new strike will begin.