Video game actors have voted to conclude a year-long strike centered on protections regarding artificial intelligence (AI).
Approximately 2,500 members of the US union SAG-Aftra participated in the action against 10 major companies within the industry, including Activision and Electronic Arts.
For months, both parties negotiated a deal addressing the use of AI to replicate actor performances, seeking to establish “guardrails” to prevent such occurrences.
The union reported that 95% of voting members supported the agreement, which also encompasses revisions to compensation, health provisions, and safety measures.
Negotiations had been underway for roughly 18 months before the strike commenced last July.
At that time, SAG-Aftra stated they had reached agreements on 24 out of 25 disputed points, with the primary obstacle being the utilization of AI to replicate human performances.
A significant point of contention was disagreement over motion capture actors, whose work was being classified as “data” rather than performance.
In a statement following the vote to end the strike, the union announced that the new contract secures “consent and disclosure requirements for AI digital replica use.”
Furthermore, performers retain the right to withdraw consent in the event of future strikes, according to the union.
Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game companies involved in negotiations with SAG-Aftra, expressed that they were “pleased” members had approved a new Interactive Media Agreement.
She noted that it includes “historic wage increases, industry-leading AI protections, and enhanced health and safety measures for performers.”
Ashly Burch, a video game actor recognized for her roles as Tiny Tina in the Borderlands series and Chloe in the adventure game Life is Strange, shared her perspective with BBC Newsbeat after the strike was suspended for the vote.
Burch emphasized that performers were not seeking a complete ban on AI in game development.
“We just don’t want to be replaced by it,” she stated.
She suggested that AI posed “arguably a bigger threat to voice and movement performers” than to actors in film and television, and the primary goal of the strike was to secure guarantees regarding “consent, transparency, and compensation.”
“Basically you have to get our consent to make a digital replica of us,” she clarified.
“You have to tell us how you’re going to use it, and then you have to compensate us fairly.”
One of Burch’s most recognized characters, Aloy from Sony’s Horizon series, became a focal point during the strike when an AI-powered prototype of the character was leaked.
She found the fan response to the model, which demonstrated the character responding to player prompts, reassuring.
“To a person, everyone was like, ‘I don’t want AI performances in my games,'” she added.
Burch has also been involved in live-action projects, including the Apple TV show Mythic Quest and her recent web series I’m Happy You’re Here, which focuses on mental health.
She stated that both projects reminded her of the unique contributions human beings bring to a role.
“And that, to me, as a person that loves games and loves art, is the big risk of AI, that we’re going to lose out on really interesting, evocative performances.”
The video game actors’ strike did not affect the entire industry and primarily impacted workers and projects based in the US.
Unlike the comprehensive 2023 Hollywood strike, video game performers were able to continue working with companies that signed an interim agreement addressing concerns over AI.
Veteran voice actors Robbie Daymond and Ray Chase, who established their own games studio, shared with BBC Newsbeat that the arrangement allowed them to continue work on their debut release, Date Everything!
The game features a cast of approximately 70 well-known performers who were able to contribute to the project due to the interim deal.
However, Daymond, who has appeared in Final Fantasy 15 and various anime series, noted that it has been a challenging year for performers in the US.
“This was a long strike, and it has been heavily impactful for everybody involved,” he stated.
Daymond mentioned that he is aware of individuals whose income was negatively affected in an industry where many performers work short stints on multiple projects.
“I just hope people understand that when a strike goes on this long and people are talking about how serious it is for them, that it has a real human impact,” he said.
Chase pointed out that while voice actors had the option of seeking work outside of video games, the strike was particularly difficult for actors who specialize in motion capture.
“If you came out to Los Angeles to be a motion capture actor, then your entire existence is being threatened by AI,” he stated.
“Those guys are heroes for sticking out this long.”
Chase also noted that the strike would have impacted video game developers if they experienced difficulties hiring actors.
“Strikes are never easy on workers. They’re never easy on anybody,” he said.
“We’re just so happy that we’ve found a peaceful resolution, for sure.”
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back here.
Anti-hate campaigners say the posts were “irresponsible, dangerous and antisemitic.”
Residents in rural Georgia say the data centre next door has disrupted their water supply.
Shares in the chip-maker have surged in value as investment in AI continues to gather pace.
The local authorities hope it will create a smoother process, but some fear it will be “irritating”.
It was “horrible”, “stressful” and “isolating” those affected tell BBC News.