Video Game Actors Win AI Protections in New Deal
Sarah Elmaleh, a voice actor from games like Final Fantasy XV and Call of Duty: Black Ops III, said that artificial intelligence (AI) was the most important part of their proposal during contract talks. She is also part of the negotiation team.
Elmaleh said it was important to set rules for how AI can be used in the video game industry in a fair and ethical way.
The new agreement includes several protections:
Companies must get permission from actors before using AI to create a digital version of them.
Companies must tell actors when their AI digital replica is used.
During a strike, actors can cancel permission to stop new AI content from being made.
Fran Drescher, President of the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, said this deal is a big step forward in protecting actors from the risks of AI.
The agreement is between SAG-AFTRA and major video game companies like:
Activision
EA (Electronic Arts)
Disney Character Voices
WB Games
Take-Two
And others
The deal was approved by 95% of SAG-AFTRA members. It officially ends a video game strike that had been paused.
The new contract also improves safety for motion capture actors (those who act using body sensors). Now, medics will be present for dangerous scenes, as many of these performers risk their bodies while working.
Other parts of the deal:
Pay raises of 15.17% right away
Extra 3% raises in November 2025, 2026, and 2027
The strike began because earlier contract talks failed, mainly over AI protection. It was part of a bigger movement in Hollywood in 2023, when writers and actors also went on strike.
Many people in Hollywood want a law to protect their voices and images from being copied by AI. A proposed law called the NO FAKES Act would make it illegal to use someone’s voice or face using AI without their permission. This law is supported by SAG-AFTRA, Disney, the Motion Picture Association, and others.
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