Video Game Actors’ Strike Nears End After Tentative AI Agreement
After nearly a year of tense negotiations, video game actors’ strike updates are finally giving the industry hope. On June 10, 2025, SAG-AFTRA announced a tentative deal with major video game companies—a potential breakthrough that could end an 11-month standoff over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in game development. This long-awaited agreement addresses some of the most pressing concerns voice actors have faced, particularly around AI usage and job security.
Why the Video Game Actors’ Strike Started
The strike, which began on July 26, 2024, was driven by unresolved concerns about the unregulated use of AI in gaming. SAG-AFTRA demanded better protection for voice actors whose work could be replicated—or replaced—by synthetic voices and digital likenesses. Major industry players like EA, Activision, Epic Games, and Disney Character Voices had struggled to reach a consensus with the union until now. The new agreement reportedly introduces AI guardrails, which are designed to protect performers’ rights and ensure transparency in how their voices and performances are used.
What the Tentative Deal Means for the Industry
While the full details of the deal haven’t been released, SAG-AFTRA stated that the agreement includes key provisions to defend performers’ livelihoods in the AI age. This is a significant milestone not just for union members, but for the gaming industry at large, which has faced project delays and uncertainty throughout the strike. If ratified by the union’s national board and approved by members, the contract will lift current restrictions that have sidelined over 160,000 SAG-AFTRA performers, enabling stalled projects to resume and studios to move forward.
What’s Next for Video Game Performers and Studios
As of now, actors remain on strike until a formal suspension agreement is finalized. However, this tentative contract is a promising sign that both sides are ready to move forward. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s Chief Negotiator, expressed gratitude for the resilience of performers and the negotiation committee, crediting their patience for securing this pivotal deal. With ratification likely in the coming weeks, the industry is watching closely—hoping this marks a new era of ethical AI use in entertainment.