Video game actors and publishers are finally negotiating again

SAG-AFTRA and members of the interactive media bargaining group — which includes video game companies like Activision, Insomniac Games, Take Two, Electronic Arts, and more — had been negotiating a new interactive media agreement for almost two years. In September of last year, SAG-AFTRA members voted for strike authorization, warning that a strike would be forthcoming if the two parties could not reach a deal. This summer, a strike was formally authorized and SAG-AFTRA members began picketing on July 26th.

The negotiations’ failure surrounded worker protections regarding the use of AI. SAG-AFTRA claimed that the bargaining committee refused to grant protections to both voice and motion performers. The bargaining companies disagreed saying that the protections offered were in line with industry standards.

Negotiations are resuming shortly after SAG-AFTRA announced that it was adding League of Legends to the list of struck games. The union filed an unfair labor complaint against Formosa Entertainment, the company that provides voice acting services to League and other titles developed by Riot Games. SAG-AFTRA claimed the company attempted to circumvent the strike by hiring non-union talent.

Neither SAG-AFTRA nor the members of interactive media bargaining group has offered additional comments at this time.