Breaking News: Actors Strike Threatens Hollywood and Video Game Industry

September 26, 2023

{First Hollywood has a strike, now the video game industry too ...}

Source: TikTok

Hollywood is currently facing a significant actors strike, and the video game industry might soon follow suit. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) members have voted to authorize a potential game actors strike, setting the stage for a potential disruption in the industry if negotiations with publishers don’t go according to plan.

SAG-AFTRA: Representing Actors Across All Entertainment Mediums

Source: Variety

The SAG-AFTRA union represents actors across all entertainment mediums, including film, television, and now potentially video games. The ongoing strike, which began in July, initially excluded the game industry. However, with the game industry’s separate contract with the actors’ union soon expiring, SAG-AFTRA is currently engaged in negotiations with major game companies such as Activision Blizzard, Take-Two Interactive, and WB Games to secure a better contract for its workers. If these negotiations fail, video game actors may go on strike to demand better working conditions and benefits.

Overwhelming Support for a Potential Strike

{SAG-AFTRA's Video Game Workers Are Voting on a Strike – Mother Jones}

Source: Mother Jones

In a recent vote, a total of 34,687 SAG-AFTRA members cast their ballots, with an overwhelming 98.32% supporting a strike authorization, as announced in a SAG-AFTRA press release. It’s important to note that this vote does not mean video game actors are currently on strike, but rather that they are willing to go on strike if negotiations fail to meet their demands. SAG-AFTRA claims that game studios have failed to offer acceptable terms on critical issues such as fair wages, protections against exploitative use of artificial intelligence, and basic safety precautions.

Bargaining Sessions: A Crucial Time for Negotiations

{SAG-AFTRA video game performer strike vote, explained - Polygon}

Source: Polygon

SAG-AFTRA and the video game companies are currently engaged in bargaining sessions, which will continue until September 28. During these sessions, the impact of the successful strike authorization vote will become evident. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether the video game industry will face a potential disruption due to a strike by its actors. It remains to be seen how these discussions will unfold and if a resolution can be reached that satisfies both parties.

The Future of the Video Game Industry Hangs in the Balance

{Mobile gaming's surprising slump drags down the market - Protocol}

Source: Protocol

As the negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and video game companies continue, the future of the video game industry hangs in the balance. The outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for the gaming community and the actors who bring our favorite characters to life. It’s a critical time for both sides to find common ground and work towards a fair and sustainable contract that benefits all parties involved. Only time will tell how this situation unfolds, but for now, gamers and industry professionals alike await the resolution of these negotiations with bated breath.