- Voice actors and motion capture artists reach an agreement after nearly a year of strikes.
- The use of artificial intelligence and the protection of image and voice are central axes of the pact.
- SAG-AFTRA achieves pay increases and additional safety measures for performers
- The agreement brings together major studios and could serve as a precedent in the industry.
After months of uncertainty and tensions in the industry, the Strike of voice actors in video games and films has come to an end. This long negotiation process, driven mainly by the fear of the advance of artificial intelligence in the sector, has kept both major companies and dubbing professionals on tenterhooks. The new agreement, which marks the end of this long-running conflict, establishes a series of Guarantees and improvements that the actors had been demanding for some time.
The Union SAG AFTRA, which brings together voice and motion capture interpreters, has been the leading voice in defending the rights of these workers. The focus of the discussion was particularly on the protection against the use of artificial intelligence, a tool increasingly present in the production of video games and films, capable of simulating voices and images realistically.
A historic agreement to address the challenges of technology
The new Interactive Media Agreement reached between SAG-AFTRA and the most prominent studios in the sector —such as Activision, Electronic Arts, Insomniac Games, WB Games and others—introduces consent and disclosure requirements mandatory for any use of AI-generated digital doubles. In this way, Companies may not recreate artists' voices or images without explicit permission., and the actors will be able to revoke or suspend said consent if conditions require it, for example during future strikes.
One of the novel aspects of the pact is the inclusion of increased security measures for motion capture professionals, who not only lend their voices but also their bodies and physical abilities to virtual characters. The agreement establishes that medical personnel will be present during work considered high-risk, thus addressing a significant demand within the community.
Salary improvements and legislative support
On the economic front, SAG-AFTRA members will see a initial 15,17% increase in remuneration as soon as the agreement comes into force. Additionally, a 3% annual increase has been agreed for the next three years, consolidating a significant increase for the sector. Added to this is improved conditions regarding overtime, which were part of the main demands of the performers.
In parallel with the contractual advances, the union representatives have supported the processing of legislative initiatives such as the NO FAKES Act, designed to prevent by law the non-consensual reproduction of voices and images using artificial intelligenceThis proposal, currently under debate in the U.S. Congress, has the support of major organizations in the audiovisual world, such as the Motion Picture Association and the Recording Academy, as well as the Screen Actors Guild itself.
An agreement ratified by the vast majority of the sector
The ratification of the agreement has not presented any flaws, with a 95,04% of the votes in favor among the union members, reflecting the widespread support and perceived need for closure to this phase of the conflict. The agreement not only ends the strike—which affected major titles in development and halted casting deals at several studios—but also sets a precedent for future technological challenges in the entertainment industry.
The sense of urgency that many professionals experienced is now rewarded by a more stable framework, which protects their rights and allows stalled projects to resume their course. Renowned names such as Hideo Kojima have highlighted how the strike slowed high-profile productions, demonstrating the scope and importance of this agreement within the industry.
This agreement marks a significant advance in the relationship between technology and creativity, promoting greater job security, better economic conditions, and a firm commitment to consent in the use of image and voice, ensuring a fairer future for professionals in the sector.
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