After nearly a year of tense negotiations, SAG-AFTRA members have overwhelmingly voted to end the video game strike, approving a new Interactive Media Agreement with 95.04% in favor and only 4.96% against.

SAG-AFTRA has officially brought the long-running strike in the video game sector—launched in late July 2024—to a close. Asserting their rights through work stoppages, the union fought for stronger safeguards against artificial intelligence and exploitative contracts; their efforts have culminated today with the passage of the new Interactive Media Agreement. Union members cast their ballots in a vote that finished with a commanding 95.04% majority in favor and 4.96% opposed.

Pay Raises and AI Protections for Game Actors

According to the official SAG-AFTRA press release, the agreement guarantees a pay raise for performers by 15.17%, along with further annual 3% increases scheduled for November of 2025, 2026, and 2027. The deal also includes extra bonuses for overtime and ensures improved health and retirement benefit contributions.

On the AI front, the contract establishes mandatory consent and full disclosure for the use of digital replicas through artificial intelligence, as well as the right for actors to withdraw their permission for generating new materials during any strike action. This landmark contract—signed by major companies such as Activision Productions Inc., Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.—is expected to set a new standard across the entertainment industry.

“This agreement makes significant progress around AI protections, and progress is the name of the game!” said Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA. “My respect goes out to the entire gaming actor community and its allies for their solidarity during the strike, which provided the necessary influence to secure the many essential achievements of this agreement.” Actors like Yuri Lowenthal, who voices Peter Parker in Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man series, raised their voices to shine a light on the cause; their activism has now made history.

Source: 3djuegos