Dear Member,
Video game performers are fighting for our livelihoods, and we’re facing a pivotal moment: Employers at some of the largest video game companies want to use A.I. to replace us using our own performances without compensation, transparency or consent.
Technological advancements have allowed this industry to expand and grow. We know that technology moves forward quickly, and change is inevitable — as performers we can and do adapt alongside it. However, we will not be cut out of the industry we helped create. When it comes to artificial intelligence and digital replicas, we demand that performers retain the right to give or revoke consent and receive compensation and transparency for all such uses of their performances. This ask is entirely reasonable and feasible; we know this because independent and major studios have already signed on to our Tiered-Budget and Interim Interactive Media Agreements, which include those protections.
At the bargaining table, the employers have rebuffed our proposals and countered with loophole-filled language that negates any protections they claim to be offering. Employers understand that our members’ performances have value — that’s why they want to use them. It’s only fair that members be protected and paid for the value their performances create.
Among the more egregious loopholes, employers are only willing to obtain your consent and compensate you for the use of your “digital replica” if it is recognizable as you, which carves out nearly all movement work and the majority of voice work too, such as performing in character voices, voice matching and efforts. They want to reserve the right to have your digital replica say or do things that are religious, pejorative of a protected class or that endorse a political position without telling you and obtaining your agreement first. They also claim movement performers are not really performers, but rather data — even though they continue to hire experienced professional actors and stunt performers to do this work. They are using this language because they don’t want to give movement performers the consent, control and compensation they deserve.
We invite you to read this comparison of what we have put forth versus the employers’ proposals.
Once you’ve had a chance to read this document, please share it with your followers on social media and visit sagaftra.org/videogamestrike to learn other ways to support your fellow SAG-AFTRA members in their strike action and put pressure on employers to bring them back to the negotiating room.
Thank you.