SAG-AFTRA Actors Secure Landmark Deal, Ending 11-Month Game Studio Strike
SAG-AFTRA actors have officially ratified a new contract with major video game studios, concluding an 11-month strike. The agreement, approved by an overwhelming 95.04% of members, brings significant gains in compensation, AI protections, and workplace safety, marking a pivotal moment for performers in the gaming industry.
Key Takeaways
- Contract Ratification: SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly approved the 2025 SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement with a 95.04% vote.
- Major Studios Involved: The agreement covers major companies including Activision, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions, and WB Games Inc.
- AI Protections: The contract includes crucial AI guardrails, requiring consent and disclosure for digital replica use and allowing performers to suspend consent during strikes.
- Compensation Increases: Performers will see a 15.17% compensation increase upon ratification, with additional 3% increases in November 2025, 2026, and 2027.
- Improved Benefits: Health & retirement contributions to the AFTRA Retirement Fund will rise from 16.5% to 17%, then to 17.5% by October 2026.
- Workplace Safety: The deal includes provisions for performer safety, such as mandatory rest periods and a double-scale overtime rate for overscale performers.
A New Era for Gaming Performers
The ratification of this contract signifies a major shift in how video game companies are viewed within the entertainment industry. Historically, gaming giants were often considered part of the tech sector, operating under different rules than traditional Hollywood studios. This new agreement firmly places them in the same league, demanding similar standards for talent compensation and protection.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator, highlighted that the strike’s length underscored the seriousness with which both sides approached the negotiations, particularly concerning AI and fair compensation. He believes the agreement will lead to gaming companies aligning their business practices more closely with other entertainment and media entities.
Addressing AI Concerns
One of the most contentious issues throughout the strike was the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence. The new contract addresses this head-on, establishing critical protections for performers:
- Consent and Disclosure: Studios must obtain explicit consent from performers for the use of their AI digital replicas.
- Fair Compensation: Performers must be paid their standard rate when their likeness is recreated by AI for use in a game.
- Strike Suspension Language: A key breakthrough was the ability for performers to suspend consent for the generation of new material during a strike, preventing AI from being used as a "scab" to replace striking workers.
Sarah Elmaleh, voice actor and chair of SAG-AFTRA’s Interactive Media Agreement negotiating committee, emphasized the importance of the strike suspension language, calling it a "very, very crucial piece" that ensures workers’ ability to advocate for themselves without being undermined by AI simulations of their own work.
Industry Reaction
Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game producers party to the agreement, expressed satisfaction with the ratification, stating, "We are pleased that SAG-AFTRA members have ratified a new Interactive Media Agreement, which delivers historic wage increases, industry-leading A.I. protections, and enhanced health and safety measures for performers." She added that the studios look forward to continuing their partnership with the union to create groundbreaking entertainment experiences.
This landmark agreement sets a precedent for future negotiations across the entertainment industry, particularly as AI technology continues to evolve. It underscores the growing power of organized labor in ensuring fair treatment and protection for creative professionals.
