The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) recently updated members on video game actor AI protection negotiations. While progress has been made, significant disagreements remain with the industry bargaining group. A comparison chart highlights key sticking points:

• AI Protection Scope: SAG-AFTRA seeks protection for all past and future work, while the bargaining group focuses only on work produced after agreement finalization.

• "Digital Replica" Definition: SAG-AFTRA defines it as any readily identifiable performance, vocal or movement, based on contract work. The bargaining group prefers "objectively identifiable," potentially excluding many performances.

• Movement Performers' Inclusion: SAG-AFTRA seeks to include movement performers in the generative AI agreement; the bargaining group has yet to agree.

• AI Terminology: SAG-AFTRA uses "real-time generation," while the bargaining group proposes "procedural generation," which SAG-AFTRA argues has a different meaning.

• Transparency on Voice Use: Disagreements exist on whether employers must disclose blending voices to create digital replicas and the use of voices in real-time chatbots versus scripted dialogue.

• Strike-Related Consent: SAG-AFTRA proposes withdrawing consent for digital replica use during strikes; employers wish to continue use, even on struck games.

• Consent Duration: SAG-AFTRA proposes a five-year renewable consent period for real-time generation; the bargaining group seeks unlimited consent.

• Compensation: Significant disagreements persist on minimum pay for digital replica creation and use, although tentative agreement on bonus pay calculation exists.

• Employer Bonus Rights: The bargaining group proposes a system similar to the SAG-AFTRA TV/Film agreement granting employers bonus rights with premium pay. SAG-AFTRA finds this too broad and potentially circumventing union rights, but is open to a revised version with stricter limits.

• Usage Tracking: SAG-AFTRA wants a system to track digital replica use to ensure appropriate performer compensation; the bargaining group deems this infeasible.

• "Synthetic" Performer Definitions: The two sides have differing views on defining and regulating characters created entirely from generative AI.

Despite tentative agreements on bonus pay, dispute resolution, minimum compensation elements, consent requirements, and certain disclosures, SAG-AFTRA expresses concern that the bargaining group is misrepresenting the progress. SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland warns members against undermining the strike by accepting work without adequate AI protections, emphasizing that accepting such roles risks exploitation and undermines fellow members' efforts.

Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game industry bargaining group, counters that their proposal includes over 15% wage increases, enhanced health and safety protections, industry-leading AI terms, and additional compensation for performance use in other games. They express a desire to return to the bargaining table.

The eight-month-long SAG-AFTRA video game strike, stemming from AI protection disagreements, is visibly impacting games. Players report unvoiced NPCs in games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft. League of Legends was struck after alleged strike subversion attempts by Riot, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 characters were recast following player concerns. Recently, two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors discovered their replacement via patch notes.