It's official — the video game voice actor and performer strike has concluded.
The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced reaching a "tentative agreement" on the interactive media contract this week, potentially ending nearly a year of labor disputes in the gaming industry. SAG-AFTRA officially suspended strike actions as of noon PT on June 11.
The SAG-AFTRA video game strike began in July 2024 when negotiations with major game companies — including Activision, Electronic Arts, and WB Games — stalled over AI usage protections. An overwhelming 98% of union members voted to authorize the strike.
While final ratification awaits a special membership meeting on June 12, the agreement marks significant progress. If approved, union members will vote on the final contract terms.
This resolution means performers can return to work and players should experience fewer disruptions. Several notable games, including Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft, had shown signs of reduced voice acting during the strike, with some NPCs remaining silent in previously voiced scenes. The conflict escalated when SAG-AFTRA protested Riot Games' alleged strike circumvention attempts regarding League of Legends.
Other impacts included Activision recasting characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 following fan concerns, and Epic Games facing labor charges after implementing an AI-voiced Darth Vader character in Fortnite without union approval.
Horizon voice actress Ashly Burch previously highlighted concerns about AI replication. In a controversial instance, Sony engineers demonstrated an AI version of her character Aloy using synthetic speech and robotic facial animations — without her involvement or consent.
"Consent, fair compensation, and transparency about AI usage are non-negotiable," Burch emphasized. "We're fighting not just for current performers, but to ensure future generations can build sustainable careers in game performance."
