SAG-AFTRA and Video Game Companies Reach Tentative New Deal, Strike End In Sight

The video game actors’ strike may soon come to an end.

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the major video game labels, which include Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc. and WB Games Inc., have reached a tentative deal on the terms for the Interactive Media Contract after months of work stoppage.

“Everyone at SAG-AFTRA is immensely grateful for the sacrifices made by video game performers and the dedication of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee throughout these many months of the video game strike,” said SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “Patience and persistence has resulted in a deal that puts in place the necessary A.I. guardrails that defend performers’ livelihoods in the A.I. age, alongside other important gains.”

In the coming weeks, terms of the deal will be subject to review and approval by SAG’s National Board, as well as the ratification of the SAG-AFTRA membership. Details of the agreement will be made public along with the ratification materials.

Terms for a strike suspension agreement are expected to be finalized with the video game companies soon. SAG-AFTRA members will remain on strike until a deal is reached.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher added, “Our video game performers stood strong against the biggest employers in one of the world’s most lucrative industries. Their incredible courage and persistence, combined with the tireless work of our negotiating committee, has at last secured a deal. The needle has been moved forward and we are much better off than before. As soon as this is ratified we roll up our sleeves and begin to plan the next negotiation. Every contract is a work in progress and progress is the name of the game.”

The actors’ union went on strikeon July 16, 2024, after 18 months of negotiations. The strike hinges on a single issue: SAG-AFTRA’s strong concerns regarding consent and compensation for the use of AI replicas.

Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the gaming publishers on the new agreement began in October 2022. The union started seeking approval for this second strike last September and members authorized the work stoppage with a 98.32% vote.

SAG-AFTRA last went on strike against the video game makers in October 2016, as the union fought for a residual compensation structure. The strike ended nearly a year later, in September 2017.