Hollywood - US-actors go on strike against video game industry
Actors and actresses in the USA are going on strike against the video game industry. An agreement could not be reached in negotiations with leading game developers, and work was suspended, according to SAG-AFTRA, the actors union in Los Angeles. One of the contentious issues is the regulation of the use of Artificial Intelligence in the industry.
The negotiations for a new contract have been ongoing since October 2022. The dispute also involves better compensation for actors who contribute to the gaming industry as voice actors or through Motion-Capture techniques. The last strike by SAG-AFTRA against video game manufacturers began in October 2016 and lasted nearly a year.
Last year, production in the film industry came to a near standstill due to months-long strikes by Hollywood writers (WGA). The writers struck in May and reached an agreement with the major film studios for more money and better working conditions in October. The strike by the actors' union, including for higher wages and protection against the irregular use of artificial intelligence (AI), ran from July to November. It was the first time since more than 60 years that writers and actors had struck simultaneously. The strike delayed the production of films and series for months.
- The video game industry in Hollywood, located in the United States of America, is currently under strain due to a strike initiated by SAG-AFTRA.
- The absence of an agreement during negotiations with prominent game developers has led to the suspension of work in Los Angeles, impacting both the gaming and movie sectors.
- The primary concerns of the actors' union include ensuring fair compensation for voice actors and those using Motion-Capture techniques, as well as the regulation of Artificial Intelligence in the gaming industry.
- Last year, similar disruptions were observed in the film industry when the writers' union (WGA) launched a strike, resulting in months of production halt.
- This latest strike by SAG-AFTRA, demanding higher wages and protection against the irregular use of AI, lasted from July to November, affecting computer game production for several months.
