Actors and performers in the union SAG-AFTRA have declared a strike against video game companies. Starting on Friday, members of the union will stop any voice acting, motion-capture work, stunts, and more that appear in video games.

SAG-AFTRA has been negotiating with companies including Activision, Electronic Arts, WB Games, and Disney for over a year and a half. Union members approved a strike authorization in September.

The use of A.I. in video game development has become a central issue in negotiations: 鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough,鈥� SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher wrote in a statement today.

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland wrote that video game performers deserve 鈥渇air compensation and the right of informed consent for the A.I. use of their faces, voices, and bodies.鈥�

But the video game producers see their offer as strong. 鈥淲e have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions,鈥� Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for video game companies involved in the negotiations, wrote today. 鈥淥ur offer is directly responsive to SAG-AFTRA鈥檚 concerns and extends meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the [Interactive Media Agreement].鈥�

Between July and November of last year, SAG-AFTRA members were on strike against major Hollywood studios.

Editor鈥檚 note: Many NPR employees are members of SAG-AFTRA, but are under a different contract and are not on strike.

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