Significance of SAG-AFTRA’s Tiered-Budget and Interim Agreements
Eighty games have signed SAG-AFTRA’s tiered-budget or interim agreements, indicating that the provisions put forth by the entertainment union, including AI protections, are fair and achievable. These agreements have been made during the ongoing strike against major game developers, providing employment opportunities to union members while the strike continues. It is important to note that these agreements do not mark the end of the strike, and the specific details of the AI protections have not been disclosed yet.
The fact that a significant number of game developers have signed these agreements demonstrates their support for SAG-AFTRA and their commitment to protecting the interests of voice talent. Companies like Little Bat Games, which is working on a game focused on psychology, expressed their pride in working with SAG-AFTRA to ensure fair compensation and protection for voice actors. This partnership highlights the importance of upholding human interests in the industry.
Furthermore, the voluntary participation of games that are not directly affected by the strike order in these agreements reveals a clear demand for SAG-AFTRA talent and a willingness to safeguard that talent. Even games that have already completed production have signed the Interim Agreement, which safeguards past and future performances from unregulated AI use.
A.I. Protections and the Importance of SAG-AFTRA
One of the main issues addressed by SAG-AFTRA in their negotiations is the need for sufficient AI protections in video game development. The union aims to ensure that voice actors are fairly compensated and that their performances are not exploited or devalued by the use of AI technology.
The significance of these protections is evident in the statements of support from various game developers. Francisco Gonzalez, a developer, expresses his support for SAG-AFTRA actors during the strike and emphasizes the importance of securing AI protections. Jeremy Stieglitz, the development director at Studio Wildcard, highlights the benefits of working with SAG-AFTRA and standardized union agreements, which have contributed to the quality and consistency of voice work in their games.
By advocating for AI protections, SAG-AFTRA is working to preserve the human art, ingenuity, and creativity that drive interactive storytelling in the video game industry. The union’s efforts have been met with positive responses from companies that have signed the tiered-budget and interim agreements. These agreements demonstrate that the proposed AI terms are not only reasonable but also feasible and sustainable for businesses.
The Video Game Strike and Negotiations
The SAG-AFTRA video game strike began on July 26 following unsuccessful negotiations that spanned over 18 months. The union’s proposals for consent, compensation, and transparency regarding AI use were rejected by the employers. Instead, the employers offered language that contained loopholes and undermined the protections they claimed to provide.
The strike and subsequent agreements highlight the ongoing challenges faced by voice actors in the video game industry. SAG-AFTRA’s efforts to secure fair working conditions and protect the interests of its members are crucial for ensuring the sustainability and growth of the industry.
SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, commended the video game companies that have signed the tiered-budget and interim agreements. He emphasized that these companies are not only doing right by their workers but also contributing to the preservation of human art, ingenuity, and creativity in interactive storytelling.
Conclusion
The signing of tiered-budget and interim agreements by 80 games demonstrates the viability and fairness of SAG-AFTRA’s provisions, including AI protections. These agreements provide employment opportunities for union members during the strike and indicate a clear demand for SAG-AFTRA talent. The support from game developers and their recognition of the value of standardized union agreements further emphasize the importance of protecting voice actors and their contributions to the industry.
While the strike is ongoing and the specific details of the AI protections have yet to be revealed, the actions taken by companies that have voluntarily signed the agreements show that the proposed terms are reasonable, feasible, and sustainable. SAG-AFTRA’s efforts to negotiate fair working conditions and advocate for AI protections are crucial for ensuring the continued growth and success of the video game industry.