In September 2023, SAG-AFTRA members agreed on a possible strike. Indeed, after several unsuccessful rounds of negotiations, the union expected to have enough to put pressure on to win its battles. One of them concerned the creation of regulations around the use of AI, particularly in the dubbing of video games.
Four months later, it seems that SAG-AFRA has managed to find a compromise with the studios. In a press release from the union, we learn that an agreement has been signed. An agreement allowing the use of actors’ voices, digitally reproduced by AI, in video games. All under conditions announced as fair, ethical and safe for the actors concerned.
SAG-AFTRA specifies that the agreement will guarantee remuneration of actors in the event of use of their voice as well as the obligation to obtain their consent for each use. According to the union, this contract was approved by relevant members of the union’s voice-over community.
Actors at odds with SAG-AFTRA
Problem, since the announcement of the signing of this agreement, several video game dubbing actors have spoken out to protest against the agreement. Worse, voice actors for
Starfield as Elias Toufexisor Red Dead Redemption 2 with Roger Clark, claim to have never been approached on this subject by SAG-AFTRA, and even less to have approved anything. Some even go so far as to imply that no voice actor was questioned about the agreement.
So, Steve Blumnotably known for having been the voice of Wolverine in several games and for being one of the most prolific voice actors of recent years, directly addresses the union on Twitter.
“You state in the article “Approved by relevant members of the union voiceover community” To my knowledge, no one in our community has approved this. Games are the main part of my livelihood and have been for years. Who are you referring to? »
Steve Blum
Others wonder about the very future of their profession. With such an agreement, if the best-known actors could indeed benefit from remuneration for the use of their voices, this would leave the lesser known ones by the side of the road. After all, why would studios pay a high price for small actors when they can get the voices of the biggest in the industry for a modest sum?