Video game and voice and motion capture performers are officially going on strike over an alleged lack of AI protections from developers.

The vote to strike comes after more than a year and a half of negotiations without a deal with game makers, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) said in a statement.

The groups with whom SAG-AFTRA is negotiating includes Activision, Blindlight, Disney Character, Electronic Arts, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions, VoiceWorks Productions and WB Games.

Although agreements have been reached on most issues, including wage and job safety, the union stated these firms still refuse to plainly affirm that they agree on critical AI protections for members of the union.

The union, which represents more than 2,500 video game performers, is particularly asking for fair compensation and the right of informed consent for the AI use of their faces, voices, and bodies.

“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members,” stated SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “Enough is enough.

“When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate.”

National executive director at the union Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said: “Frankly, it’s stunning that these video game studios haven’t learned anything from the lessons of last year - that our members can and will stand up and demand fair and equitable treatment with respect to AI and the public supports us in that.”

Last year, SAG-AFTRA was on strike over a labour dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which lasted from July 14 to November 9.

As the longest strike in SAG-AFTRA history, its combined impact with the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike resulted in the loss of 45,000 jobs, and an estimated $6.5 billion loss to the economy of Southern California, according to industry entertainment publication Deadline.

The publication reported that the “harshest pain was felt among the below-the-line workers who’ve had to sell or mortgage their homes, and wipe through IRAs to survive.”

The strike resulted in TV and film actors in the US winning $1billion (£790 million) in new pay and benefits, as well as safeguards on the use of AI.

 The video game studios have responded to the current allegations saying that they have already made enough concessions to the union's demands.

"We are disappointed the union has chosen to walk away when we are so close to a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations,” said Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the videogame producers party to the Interactive Media Agreement. “We have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions."

The Interactive Media Agreement covers roughly 2,600 performers who do voice-over and motion-capture work in the video game industry.

"Our offer is directly responsive to SAG-AFTRA’s concerns and extends meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the Interactive Media Agreement," Cooling said.

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