Video Game Actors End Year-Long Strike After Securing AI Protections
- tech360.tv
- Jul 11, 2025
- 2 min read
A year-long strike by video game actors has officially ended after union members voted to approve a new contract that includes protections against the use of artificial intelligence.
About 2,500 members of the US union SAG-Aftra participated in the strike, which targeted 10 major companies including Activision and Electronic Arts.
The union announced that 95% of voting members supported the agreement, which includes consent and disclosure requirements for the use of AI-generated digital replicas.
The deal also introduces historic wage increases, enhanced health and safety measures, and allows performers to withdraw consent for AI use during future strikes.
Negotiations had been ongoing for 18 months before the strike began in last July. At the time, SAG-Aftra said the only unresolved issue was the use of AI to replicate human performances.
A key point of contention was the treatment of motion capture work as data rather than performance, which the new agreement addresses.
Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game companies involved in the negotiations, said they were pleased with the approval of the new Interactive Media Agreement.
Video game actor Ashly Burch, known for roles in the Borderlands and Horizon series, said the strike aimed to ensure consent, transparency, and fair compensation for AI use.
Burch noted that AI poses a greater threat to voice and movement performers than to film and TV actors, and stressed the importance of preserving human creativity in games.
During the strike, an AI-powered prototype of Burch’s character Aloy from the Horizon series leaked, sparking fan backlash against AI-generated performances.
The strike did not halt the entire industry and mainly affected US-based projects. Some companies signed interim agreements that allowed work to continue under AI-related terms.
Voice actors Robbie Daymond and Ray Chase, who launched their own studio, were able to complete their debut game, Date Everything!, under such an interim deal.
Daymond said the prolonged strike had a significant financial impact on performers, many of whom rely on short-term roles across multiple projects.
Chase highlighted the particular challenges faced by motion capture actors, whose careers are more directly threatened by AI technology.
He added that the strike also affected game developers who struggled to hire actors during the dispute.
Both actors expressed relief at the resolution and praised those who remained committed throughout the strike.
SAG-Aftra members voted to end a year-long strike over AI protections
New contract includes consent, disclosure, and compensation rules for AI use
Agreement covers wage increases and health and safety improvements
Source: BBC
