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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Nearly a year after unionized video game performers went on strike, a tentative labor deal was in place Tuesday that could put them back on the job.
The SAG-AFTRA actors union announced Monday night that a tentative agreement had been reached with a coalition of video game companies. The proposal still needs to be reviewed by the union's National Board, and it must be ratified by union members.
It was not immediately clear when those actions would occur. No details of the tentative agreement were released.
Video game performers went on struck in late July 2024, with the labor dispute largely focused on protections for actors from the emergence of artificial intelligence technology. The union said that without protections for its members, gaming companies could train AI to replicate an actor's voice, or create a digital replica of their likeness without consent or fair compensation.
According to SAG-AFTRA, the roughly 2,600 video game workers covered by the union will remain on strike until a strike-suspension agreement is finalized, an action that is expected to occur "soon."
"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," SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in a statement. "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."
Union 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."
Video game companies targeted by the strike included 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.
The previous Interactive Media Agreement expired in November 2022. It covers performers doing voice-over and motion-capture work in the video game industry.