The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has provided an update to its members regarding the ongoing negotiations over video game actor AI protections. Despite some progress, SAG-AFTRA reports that they are still "frustratingly far apart" from the industry bargaining group on several key issues.

SAG-AFTRA has released a chart highlighting the differences between their proposals and those of the games industry bargaining group, which includes representatives from most major AAA gaming companies. The chart outlines the unresolved issues as follows:

• Protection from Digital Replica or Generative AI Use: SAG-AFTRA seeks protection for all work, not just work produced after the agreement is signed.
• Definition of "Digital Replica": SAG-AFTRA proposes to define it as any performance, vocal or movement, "readily identifiable or attributable to" a performer based on work contracts. The bargaining group prefers "objectively identifiable," which SAG-AFTRA believes would exclude many performances.
• Inclusion of "Movement" Performers: SAG-AFTRA wants to include movement performers in the generative AI agreement.
• Terminology for Generative AI-Created Performances: SAG-AFTRA suggests "real-time generation," while the bargaining group proposes "procedural generation," which SAG-AFTRA argues has a different meaning in gaming.
• Disclosure Requirements: SAG-AFTRA demands disclosure if an employer will blend voices to create a digital replica and whether a voice will be used for real-time chatbots or only scripted dialogue.
• Consent During Strikes: SAG-AFTRA's proposal allows withdrawal of consent for digital replica use during strikes, while employers want to continue using them, including on struck games.
• Duration of Consent for Real-Time Generation: SAG-AFTRA proposes a five-year limit, renewable, whereas the bargaining group seeks unlimited consent.
• Compensation for Digital Replica Creation and Use: There are multiple disagreements on minimum payments, though tentative agreements have been reached on bonus pay calculations.
• Bonus Rights for Employers: The bargaining group proposes a system similar to the SAG-AFTRA TV/Film agreement, granting employers additional rights for a premium. SAG-AFTRA finds the proposal too broad and suggests considering it with stricter boundaries.
• Tracking System for Digital Replicas: SAG-AFTRA wants a system to monitor digital replica usage to ensure fair compensation. The bargaining group deems this infeasible and is only willing to discuss it as part of the agreement.
• Definitions and Regulations for "Synthetic" Performers: Specific definitions and regulations for characters created entirely by generative AI systems are still under negotiation.

Despite these disagreements, the two groups have reached tentative agreements on several other issues, including bonus pay, dispute resolution, some elements of minimum compensation, consent requirements, and certain disclosures to performers. However, SAG-AFTRA's letter to members expresses concern that the bargaining employers are misrepresenting the proximity to a deal, as SAG-AFTRA does not believe they are close.

SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland emphasized the importance of solidarity among members, warning against accepting roles that could undermine the strike and expose performers to AI misuse without proper protections.

In response, Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game industry bargaining group, stated that they have proposed a deal that includes over 15% wage increases for SAG-AFTRA represented performers, enhanced health and safety protections, industry-leading terms for AI digital replicas, and additional compensation for use of an actor’s performance in other games. They expressed eagerness to return to negotiations to reach an agreement.

The SAG-AFTRA video game strike, now in its eighth month, was triggered by disagreements over AI provisions, despite 24 out of 25 other contract proposals being agreed upon. The impact of the strike is becoming increasingly visible in the gaming industry, with players noticing unvoiced NPCs in games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft. Late last year, SAG-AFTRA struck League of Legends after Riot attempted to subvert the strike by canceling a game, and Activision recast characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 following player concerns about new voices.

Most recently, two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors discovered their replacement through the game's latest patch notes, highlighting the ongoing effects of the strike.