SAG-AFTRA’s Counterproposals on Performer Rights and AI Negotiations
(Synopsis)

SAG-AFTRA, representing 160,000 actors, voiceover artists, and media professionals, has addressed the “video game employers’ April 30 offer” with an “AI proposal,” articulating the implications of employers’ offer. In an extensive response available on its website, SAG-AFTRA contested several issues, notably regarding the secondary performance payment (SPP) and the employers’ criteria for when obtaining a “vocal digital replica” would be permissible. The union highlighted that employers intended to limit AI protections exclusively to new performances under the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA), thereby excluding prior works from any safeguards.

Employers have now agreed to encompass all work under the IMA as a Digital Replica, asserting that if a performer is engaged under the IMA for a project, their digital replica cannot be classified as an “independently created digital replica.” Additionally, acceptance of the employers’ language on consent might compel performers to reimburse significant sums to prevent strike violations associated with their digital replicas.

Moreover, concern was raised over a provision that would enable employers to utilize a replica for pre-production without the performer’s consent, albeit offering minimum compensation. The union maintained that consent should always be required, emphasizing that while some companies compensate performers per session for pre-production, others do not. They suggested that a single session fee for scratch work represents a reasonable compromise.

SAG-AFTRA decided to strike in late July 2024 following unsuccessful negotiations over rights and protections in light of the industry’s unregulated use of AI technology. An update, issued in March 2025, indicated yet unresolved differences with video game studios and publishers. This coincided with new allegations from two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors, claiming they were replaced due to their SAG-AFTRA strike involvement.