SAG-AFTRA Voice Actors End Strike with Major Pay Hikes and Groundbreaking AI Protections
The SAG-AFTRA Video Game Voice Actors’ Strike Has Officially Ended
After a year of tense negotiations and a strike that began in July 2024, the SAG-AFTRA video game voice actors’ strike is officially over. The guild’s members have voted overwhelmingly to approve the new 2025 Interactive Media Agreement (IMA), marking a major milestone for performers in the gaming industry.
- Strike suspended and new agreement reached
- 95.04% of SAG-AFTRA members ratified the deal
- Significant pay raises and benefits improvements
- Important AI protections introduced for performers
- Partnership continues with major game companies
Strike Suspended, Agreement Ratified
Last month, the strike was suspended after SAG-AFTRA and game companies represented by the IMA Negotiating Committee reached a tentative agreement. Now, with 95.04% of union members voting in favor and only 4.96% against, the new contract is officially ratified. This means voice actors can finally return to work with better conditions and pay.
Better Pay and Benefits for Voice Actors
One of the biggest wins in the new deal is a 15.17% immediate increase in compensation for video game performers. Plus, their pay will continue to rise by 3% every November from 2025 through 2027. Health and retirement benefits are also getting a boost, with the AFTRA Retirement Fund increasing by 0.5% now and another 0.5% set for this October.
AI Protections Take Center Stage
The strike was partly driven by concerns over the use of artificial intelligence in the industry. The new agreement tackles this head-on by establishing strong AI safeguards. These include informed consent requirements for AI use and the ability for performers to suspend consent for digital replicas during strikes. SAG-AFTRA emphasized that this is just the beginning of evolving AI protections as the technology advances.
Union and Industry Leaders React
SAG-AFTRA expressed pride in the progress made:
“Together we have achieved far more than many thought possible and have made important headway in our ongoing efforts to expand video game performers’ rights and ensure sustainable careers for those dedicated to this vibrant artform,” the union stated in a press release. They also thanked the negotiating committee and lead negotiator Ray Rodriguez for their dedication.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator, added:
“Now that the agreement is ratified, video game performers will be able to enjoy meaningful gains and important A.I. protections, which we will continue to build on as uses of this technology settle and evolve.”
On the other side, Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the IMA Negotiating Committee, welcomed the outcome:
“We are pleased that SAG-AFTRA members have ratified a new Interactive Media Agreement, which delivers historic wage increases, industry-leading A.I. protections, and enhanced health and safety measures for performers,” she said. “We look forward to building on our industry’s decades-long partnership with the union and continuing to create groundbreaking entertainment experiences for billions of players worldwide.”
Major Game Companies Involved
The agreement covers a wide range of big-name studios and publishers, including:
Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.
With this deal, the future looks brighter for voice actors in gaming, combining fair pay, better benefits, and solid protections against AI misuse.
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