Activision, Epic Games, Insomniac, And More Are Facing Strike Action Over AI

02.09.2023 - 01:25 / thegamer.com / Yuri Lowenthal / Fran Drescher / Ai

If you've shown any interest in the film and TV industry over this past few months, you'll no doubt be aware of the ongoing strikes orchestrated by The Writer's Guild of America (WGA) and The Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Members from both unions have been protesting against large companies such as Netflix, Warner, and more for months over unfair wages and the unregulated use of AI jeopardising job security and reducing opportunities.

It's a conflict that doesn't look like it's coming to an end any time soon, but SAG-AFTRA has shown no signs of backing down. It was pretty much expected that SAG-AFTRA would soon turn its attention to video games, as both industries share a lot of the same problems. That's now been confirmed, as the guild has now unanimously voted to send a strike authorization vote to all of its members in preparation for an upcoming bargaining session with 10 different video game companies (thanks Deadline).

Related: Report: Your Favorite Gaming Actors Want You To Stop AI Generating Their Voices

These companies include some of the biggest names in the games industry, with Activision, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Insomniac, Take-Two, and WB Games all facing potential strike action. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher has explained that these companies have "failed" to address the needs of the guild's members, and that it will begin voting on September 2 to obtain member-approved strike authorization for the upper hand in another round of bargaining that takes place on September 26.

"Here we go again,” said Drescher in a recent statement. "Now our Interactive Video Game Agreement is at a stalemate too. Once again we are facing employer greed and disrespect. Once again artificial intelligence is putting our members in jeopardy of reducing their opportunity to work. And once again, SAG-AFTRA is standing up to tyranny on behalf of its members."

SAG-AFTRA has a fairly lengthy and reasonable list of demands, though two "sticking points" include an increase in wages to keep up with inflation and protections against the use of AI. Specifically, the Interactive Video Game Agreement asks for AI protections for performance capture professionals, as well as "the sames wage increases for video game performers as for those who work under the film and television contracts".

We should find out whether SAG-AFTRA union members in the games industry will be striking later this month, and if they do, we can probably expect some pretty big game delays or recasts. Insomniac in particular may have a major headache on their hands, as Spider-Man actor Yuri Lowenthal is an outspoken advocate against the use of AI as well as a SAG-AFTRA member. For now,