It’s been many months since SAG-AFTRA and the major video game companies sat down for in-person bargaining talks on a new contract. That’s about to change.
The actors union, which launched a strike in late July against several companies, said today that it will resume negotiation for its Interactive Media Agreement on Wednesday, October 23. Bargaining has continued off-and-on, but the sides have been operating without a contract since November 2022.
AI has been the sticking point on for months on the contract, which covers voice and performance-capture talent on video games.
The gamer companies being struck are Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions and WB Games.
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When the strike was called, negotiations on the Interactive Media Agreement had been ongoing for more than 18 months, though these talks aren’t as consistent as those between Hollywood unions and the AMPTP, where the parties set aside several consecutive weeks to bargain.
“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough. When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate,” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said when the strike was called.
Neither side had further comment on the resumption of talks.
SAG-AFRTA also said today that it has scheduled its next picket line for tomorrow, October 16, at WB Games offices in Burbank.
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