Video Game Performers Demand AI Protections in Historic Strike

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, thousands of video game performers have voted to go on strike, citing the need for robust protections against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in their work. The strike, led by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), comes after nearly two years of negotiations with major game studios that have failed to yield a satisfactory agreement on this critical issue.

Safeguarding Performers' Livelihoods in the Age of AI

The Existential Threat of Unchecked AI

JB Blanc, a veteran of the video game industry with over 300 games and 500 characters under his belt, has described the current situation as the "biggest existential threat" that performers have ever faced. The concern is that without proper safeguards, game companies could potentially use AI to replicate an actor's voice or create a digital replica of their likeness without consent or fair compensation. This poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of performers, who rely on their unique talents and identities to secure work in the industry.

The Negotiation Breakdown

Despite making progress on issues such as wages and job safety, the negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the video game producers have stalled over the regulation of generative AI. The union has been adamant about the need for strict guidelines to protect performers, but the studios have been unwilling to make a deal on this critical issue. This impasse has ultimately led to the decision to strike, as the performers feel that their futures are at stake.

The Broader Implications

The video game performers' strike is not an isolated incident. The concerns over AI's impact on the entertainment industry have been a driving force behind the recent TV and film strike that lasted 118 days. As Clayton Davis of Variety explains, the ability to "scan your body, and use you again, without your consent, paying for one day's work for a lifetime of your likeness being used" has been a major point of contention for performers across the industry.

Determination and Resilience

Despite the uncertainty and potential hardship that a strike can bring, the video game performers are resolute in their stance. Blanc, who has weathered many challenges in his decades-long career, acknowledges that "no one is prepared for a strike, particularly when it could be of an unknown length." However, he emphasizes that the "determination is definitely there" and that the performers are "very resourceful people" who are "not going to budge on this."

The Fight for the Future

The video game performers' strike is not just about protecting their own livelihoods; it's about safeguarding the future of the industry as a whole. As Blanc aptly states, "This isn't just a threat to actors, this is a threat to anyone." The battle over AI regulation has far-reaching implications, and the performers are willing to stand firm, knowing that the stakes are high and the outcome could shape the industry for years to come.