The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) recently updated its members on video game actor AI protection negotiations. While some progress has been made, significant disagreements remain with the industry bargaining group. A comparison chart highlights key sticking points:
AI Protection Scope: SAG-AFTRA seeks protection for all past and future work, while the bargaining group focuses only on work produced after agreement.
"Digital Replica" Definition: SAG-AFTRA proposes a broad definition encompassing any readily identifiable performance, whereas the bargaining group's "objectively identifiable" standard is deemed too restrictive by SAG-AFTRA.
Inclusion of Movement Performers: The guild seeks to include movement performers in the generative AI agreement, a point not yet resolved.
Terminology: Disagreements persist on terminology, with SAG-AFTRA preferring "real-time generation" over the bargaining group's "procedural generation."
Transparency: SAG-AFTRA demands disclosure regarding voice blending with other voices and the use of voice data in real-time chatbots, beyond scripted dialogue.
Strike Clause: SAG-AFTRA's proposal withdraws consent for digital replica use during strikes, unlike the bargaining group's position.
Consent Duration: The guild proposes a five-year consent period with renewal, while the bargaining group seeks unlimited consent.
Compensation: Substantial disagreements remain on minimum compensation for digital replica creation and use, although tentative agreement exists on bonus pay calculation.
Employer Bonus Rights: The bargaining group's proposed bonus rights clause, similar to the SAG-AFTRA TV/Film agreement, is considered too broad and potentially circumventing union rights by SAG-AFTRA.
Usage Tracking: SAG-AFTRA advocates for a system to track digital replica usage to ensure fair compensation, a concept the bargaining group currently deems infeasible.
Synthetic Performer Definitions: Clear definitions regarding "synthetic" performers and their regulation are still needed.
Despite these unresolved issues, tentative agreements have been reached on bonus pay, dispute resolution, aspects of minimum compensation, consent requirements, certain disclosures, and more. However, SAG-AFTRA disputes the bargaining group's claim of near-agreement, expressing concern about misleading member communications.
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland urged members to resist pressure to work on projects without adequate AI protections, highlighting the risk of exploitation and undermining the strike's efforts.
In response, Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game industry bargaining group, stated that their proposal includes significant wage increases, enhanced safety protections, and industry-leading AI terms. They expressed a willingness to return to the bargaining table.
The eight-month-long strike, primarily focused on AI provisions, has already visibly impacted games. Players have reported unvoiced NPCs in games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft, and voice actor replacements have been confirmed in titles such as League of Legends and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and recently Zenless Zone Zero.
