SAG-AFTRA Ends Year-Long Video Game Strike

It's official — the SAG-AFTRA video game performer strike has concluded.

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it reached a tentative agreement on its interactive media contract earlier this week, effectively concluding nearly a year of industrial action within the gaming industry. SAG-AFTRA has now officially suspended all strike activities as of noon PT on June 11.

The strike by video game performers began in July 2024 after negotiations between the union and major game companies — including Activision, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, and WB Games — stalled, primarily over protections regarding artificial intelligence. An overwhelming 98% of members voted to authorize the work stoppage.

While the final details are pending — a special meeting on June 12 will review the agreement — approval would send the contract to the full union membership for a ratification vote.

This resolution allows performers to return to work and should minimize further disruption for players and ongoing games. Titles like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft reportedly featured unvoiced NPCs in key scenes during the strike. Last year, SAG-AFTRA sanctioned League of Legends after Riot Games reportedly attempted to circumvent strike actions by canceling a project. Additionally, Activision recast characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 following fan feedback on new voice performances, and Epic Games faces an unfair labor charge after SAG-AFTRA filed a complaint with the NLRB over the use of an AI-voiced Darth Vader character in Fortnite.

To understand the stakes of the strike, consider the experience of Horizon voice actor Ashly Burch. A since-deleted video showed a Sony Interactive Entertainment director conversing with an AI-generated version of her character, Aloy, using synthetic speech and animations.

The voice used was clearly not Burch's, instead resembling a robotic text-to-speech program. The AI Aloy's facial movements were僵硬, and its eyes lacked expression during the interaction.

“Consent, fair compensation, and transparency about how our AI likeness is used are non-negotiable,” Burch stated at the time. “I am passionate about this industry and the art of performance. I want to see a future with more incredible game performances and opportunities for the next generation of actors. If we don’t secure these protections now, that future is at serious risk."