Video game companies strike the AI ​​provision of the actors' contract

The video game companies that negotiate a new contract with SAG-ATTRA have published the ACTORS Union a “best, last and final” offer of offer that eliminates some important sticking points in relation to generative AI.

The topline changes in this final version of a new interactive media contract (IMA) between the two parties include: removal of the unlimited digital replica -Buyout determination; Elimination of the repayment request for artists who suspend their consent for developers to create new content using a digital replica during a strike; And explains that developers do not use digital replicates created out of non-IMA content in order to circumvent the protection for digital replicates that were created from the IMA content specified in the proposal.

The most important of these revisions is the removal of the one-time payment option for unlimited aforementioned content per game or what the union has previously referred to as an “unlimited DR-use Buyout”. With this change, actors who agree to the use of a digital replica would receive compensation for this use that would have received comparable to what they had received if they had performed directly.

The most important video game companies contained in negotiations are Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc. Inc. and WB Games Inc.

The new proposal was sent by the companies last week after an earlier “Best and Last” gun in April 30, which SAG -Aftra had received with a proposal in May. The Actors Union has been strike against the companies since July 16, 2024 after 18 months of negotiations on the new IMA.

“Last Friday we reacted to Sag-Aftra's recent counters with a strong and fair proposal, which is decisive for the priorities we understand to achieve a deal to end the strike,” said Audrey Cooling, spokesman for the video game developer party at IMA, in a statement on Monday. “In our most recent proposal, the unlimited determination of the digital replica Buyout for aforementioned content is eliminated. The repayment requirements for artists who expose their consent to developers to create new content using a digital replica. During a strike, and confirm that developers do not use digital replicas from non-IMA content. The proposal does not contain the suggestion. Only some of the most robust AI protection measures in such a deal, but also increases wages by 24% compared to the duration of the contract, whereby the compensation is classified by 15% immediately after ratification.

A spokesman for SAG-Aftra said in the answer: “Our negotiating committee will meet with other members who will work in video games in an information meeting tomorrow to discuss the offer and the potential next steps.”

Take a look at the offer “Best, Last and Final” to the video game developers in the document below for SAG-Aftra.