Video game actors have been on strike for almost two weeks, with the potential to impact online games first if the dispute is not resolved quickly. The strike, led by union SAG-Aftra, involves about 2,500 performers who are protesting the use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in game development.
Members of the union recently staged a picket outside the offices of Warner Bros, one of the 10 game companies negotiating with the union. The union claims their offer provides “meaningful protections” for workers, but SAG-Aftra disagrees.
The strike focuses on the use of AI to replicate performances by humans, raising concerns about performers’ likeness being duplicated without proper compensation. The union wants guarantees that performers have control over how their face, voice, and body are used in creating performances.
The impact of the strike on video game development may not be immediately clear, as games in development before September 2023 are exempt from strike action. However, live-service games like Fortnite and Apex Legends could be affected more quickly, according to the union.
Actor Abubakar Salim, who has worked in both games and TV, expressed concerns about AI potentially replacing human voices and performances in games. He believes that audiences would prefer content created by humans rather than solely by AI.
The union is pushing for a fair and ethical deal for all its members, emphasizing the need for guardrails in the use of AI technology in game development. The dispute highlights the ongoing debate over the use of AI in creative industries and the importance of protecting performers’ rights in the digital age.
