After nearly a year of stalled productions and tense negotiations, SAG-AFTRA has announced a breakthrough: a tentative agreement has finally been reached with the major video game companies. The news, which dropped late Monday night, marks a significant milestone in the union's long-running push to protect performers in an industry increasingly impacted by artificial intelligence.
The new pact - officially referred to as the Interactive Media Agreement - ends over 10 months of strike action, though SAG-AFTRA clarified that the work stoppage technically remains in effect until a strike suspension agreement is finalized. That step is expected "soon," but for now, the picket line still stands.
The strike began in July 2024 after months of fruitless negotiations, with the previous agreement having expired back in November 2022. Since then, the union had been operating without a contract, holding firm in its demands as bargaining dragged on.
"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," said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union's National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator. "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. Thank you, Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Chair Sarah Elmaleh and Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez for your hard work and advocacy in pursuit of this contract."
At the center of the dispute was the rapidly growing threat posed by AI. The agreement covers voice actors and performance-capture professionals - roles particularly vulnerable to automation and synthetic voice replication. Union leaders consistently raised concerns over the unregulated use of performers' voices and likenesses, warning that without safeguards, AI could severely undermine careers and compensation.
The specific terms of the tentative agreement have not been disclosed yet. Still, union leaders emphasized that it includes critical protections surrounding the use of artificial intelligence, a key flashpoint in the negotiations. The deal now heads to SAG-AFTRA's National Board for review. If approved, it will go to the union's membership for a ratification vote.
The agreement involves a host of industry powerhouses, including Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take-Two Productions, and WB Games.
"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," said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher.
