Union takes a protest pause while members vote for a key pact with Disney, EA, WB and more

After months of tension, events and paralysis in the development of some highly anticipated video games, The SAG-AFRTRA strike against large companies in the sector has been officially suspended. Eye, it has not been completely concluded: the agreement reached is provisional And it still has to be approved by its members. But the simple fact that there is light at the end of the tunnel is a reason for relief for many voice actors, fans … and developers.

An agreement that could change the sector

What was achieved with this strike that lasted almost a year? As the union revealed itself, the agreement contemplates The salary increases above 24%improved health and safety measures and which many consider the key point: New rules that regulate the use of artificial intelligence In video games.

In the words of the spokesperson Audrey Cooling, the pact establishes “The main provisions in the sector of which they require transparency, consent and compensation for the use of digital replicas in video games “.

This implies that companies will not be able to clone the voices, faces or movements of the actors without their explicit consent, much less do it without paying it.

Protect humanity in a digital world

The boom of the generative age was a hot topic in the world of video game. Actors such as Samantha Béart (Baldur’s Gate 3), Elias Toufexis (Starfield) or Jennifer Hale (Mass effect) have publicly denounced the attempt of some companies to replace human work with technology.

SAG-AFRTRA has been clear from the beginning: video game artists deserve the Same rights and protections as those of cinema, television or music. “A fair compensation and the right to informed consent on the use of its image and voice” was the constant question.

On the other side of the table, Some managers seemed more worried about cost reduction. Although figures such as Take-Two CEO, Strauss Zelnick, have recognized that “video games are created thanks to the human creative genius“, Many other companies have maintained colder postures … so far.

Which companies are involved?

The agreement includes some of the gigantic interactive entertainment beastsamong them:

• Disney character voices
• Electronic art
• WB games
• Activision Productions
• Sleepless games
• Take-twin productions
• And other studies that collaborate with Ubisoft in the capture of the movement

These companies signed in the context of IMA (agreement in interactive media)The same contract that regulates the participation of artists in video games for years.

What happens now?

The strike was officially suspendedWhich means that actors can now work on projects pursuant to the IMP, including promotional tasks. However, the agreement will not be definitive until the majority of the Union ratify it.

Everything indicates that the ratification will be a formality, since the pact represents a Unprecedented victory For workers in the sector. However, SAG-AFRTRA stressed that the exact details of the agreement will be published After the vote.

A precedent for the future of digital entertainment

This movement could marry a Before and after for the entire entertainment sectorNot only for video games. The debate on artificial intelligence and its limits is more alive than ever and what is signed here could serve as a model for other sectors in which automation threatens creative works.

The SAG-AFTRA case shows that an ethical use of the AI ​​can be negotiatedensuring that technological tools act as support and not a substitute, to human talent.

While we wait for the union to ratify the agreement, what is already certain is that video games will continue to say, at least for the moment, with real voices, authentic emotions and protected artists. Because it doesn’t matter how advanced technology is, there is still no one who can combine the spark of an actor in a state of grace.