Voice and motion capture actors in Hollywood have reached a new agreement with video game studios, emphasizing protections against artificial intelligence, according to a statement from the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA. This agreement concludes a nearly year-long strike.
“AI was central to our proposal package,” remarked Sarah Elmaleh, a video game voice actor and member of the negotiation committee, in an interview with Reuters following the approval of the new contract.
Elmaleh, known for her roles in well-known games such as Final Fantasy XV and Call of Duty: Black Ops III, highlighted the importance of establishing ethical guidelines for AI usage within the gaming sector.
The newly established protections necessitate consent and transparency for the use of AI-generated digital replicas, allowing performers to withdraw their consent for new material creation during a strike.
“This agreement marks significant progress regarding AI safeguards, and progress is essential,” stated Fran Drescher, President of SAG-AFTRA, in the union’s announcement.
The contract pertains to various video game studios, including Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions, and WB Games.
Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the video game studios involved in the agreement, expressed pleasure over the ratification of the new Interactive Media Agreement. “This contract delivers historic wage increases, leading AI protections, and improved health and safety measures for performers,” she noted.
The Interactive Media Agreement, which is now active, received overwhelming approval from SAG-AFTRA members, with 95.04 percent voting in favor and 4.96 percent against, thereby concluding the strike that had been on hold pending ratification.
Additionally, the contract introduces enhanced safety measures for performers, which was particularly important for those engaging in motion capture.
“There are individuals who contribute not only their voices to these characters but also their physical presence. They truly put their bodies on the line,” Elmaleh explained.
During high-risk assignments, motion capture actors will have access to medical personnel.
The agreement also includes substantial pay increases for performers, starting with a 15.17 percent raise upon ratification, followed by an additional 3 percent increase in November for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027.
The work stoppage among voice actors and motion capture performers stemmed from unsuccessful contract negotiations focused on AI protections, echoing broader labor unrest in Hollywood following the writers’ and actors’ strikes earlier in 2023.
This strike has fueled a call to action within the industry, advocating for legislation to safeguard against AI-related risks.
A bipartisan initiative in Congress known as the NO FAKES Act aims to prohibit the unauthorized creation of AI replicas of individuals’ likenesses and voices. This bill has garnered support from the SAG-AFTRA performers union, the Motion Picture Association, The Recording Academy, and Disney.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
