Video Game Actors Strike Over AI And Enter Talks With Rockstar Games Parent Company, GTA 6 Impacted?
The union representing many of the video game industry’s voice and performance actors has decided to launch a strike for all its members. SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) announced the news via their website Thursday.
For more than a year, actors and their union have been at odds with video game makers over how AI could be used in games. Issues were raised and a new agreement to protect actors was discussed but nothing could be agreed upon. So, a vote was cast to strike. The result was unanimous with 98.32% voting yes to strike.
This strike begins July 26th at 12:01pm PT. From that time, actors in the union cannot work on games until an agreement is reached with a collective of the largest video game publishers. At this time, the companies will not provide clear language in their contracts that performers will be protected from the use of AI.
“We will not agree to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough. When these companies seriously propose a deal that our members can live – and work – with, we will be here, ready to negotiate.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher.
According to the union, they are currently negotiating with a group of the largest game publishers and entertainment companies in the world. The collective includes Take 2 Productions Inc, which are the parent company of Rockstar Games. There’s also Activision, Disney, EA, Insomniac Games, WB Games and more.
Voice-over and motion-capture performers are an integral part of Rockstar Games’ titles. From the latest and greatest in gaming like Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA V to returning to the classics, the actors deserve to be paid fairly and protected from AI. Previously, Rockstar Games has come under fire for potentially underpaying actors.
What could be the effect?
As we saw in 2023 with the actors’ and writers’ strike, it caused delays for most projects. There were even extreme delays and cancellations. It wouldn’t be surprising to see major delays for some titles.
Those who rely on many syndicated works for much content may not be able to meet milestones or release dates. Although the severity of impact depends on how long the strike lasts. If it takes enough time, there’s always a chance that some big games see struggles internally.
GTA 6 Made To Be “Untouched”
People are already asking if GTA 6 would be affected? If they still need some voice over work or performance capture done by union labor, it will slow down other departments. Rockstar will not be able to work on certain things if the actor is not able to work for them. How this will affect its release date remains to be seen.
The CEO of Take Two, Strauss Zelnick, actually made a statement in November last year about a possible actors’ strike. Mr. Zelnick said GTA 6 is “completely protected” from any SAG-AFTRA strike for voice/performance actors. This was before GTA VI had its reveal and rumors of delays.
We will have to wait and see if Mr. Zelnick was right or if GTA VI and other games get big production hits. In other news, Ubisoft says GTA VI will help sell more games.
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