25/07/2025

New AI protection measures: SAG-AFTRA achieves breakthrough in the gaming industry

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After 11 months, the SAG‑AFTRA strike by videogame performers finally ended with an agreement protecting actors from AI misuse in games.

Devolver Digital challenges Rockstar Games

SAG‑AFTRA reaches agreement with game producers to protect against AI misuse

This may be one of the most significant milestones in the current evolution of AI in multimedia. The SAG‑AFTRA strike for videogame performers began in July 2024. A year ago, the union failed to reach an agreement with major game producers such as Electronic Arts or Activision.

But now, after a long struggle, they have finally succeeded in establishing common ground that regulates the use of AI in videogames going forward.

The SAG‑AFTRA agreement for videogames

The agreement includes several key paycheck changes for performers, such as a 15.17% pay increase (+3% more in November 2025, 2026, and 2027) and a pension contribution increase of up to 17.5% by 2026.

Crucially, an agreement on AI usage was reached that requires game companies to obtain performer consent for the use of their voice or performance with AI.

Moreover, game companies must clearly inform performers (such as voice actors or motion‑capture artists) when their voice, image, or performance is digitally reproduced with AI. So if a studio wants to use an AI version of an actor’s voice (for example, to speak new lines), or recreate an actor’s face or body in a scene via AI, the performer must be notified.

This rule is intended to shield performers from being covertly copied or replaced by AI technologies without their knowledge or consent.

This agreement was reached with some of the largest game developers in the market. Here is the full list, in case you’re interested:

Activision Productions Inc. (e.g. Call of Duty)
Blindlight LLC (e.g. voice production for Starfield)
Disney Character Voices Inc.
Electronic Arts Productions Inc. (e.g. EA Sports FC)
Formosa Interactive LLC (audio production for Helldivers 2, Dead Space, Horizon, etc.)
Insomniac Games Inc. (e.g. Marvel's Spider-Man)
Llama Productions LLC
Take 2 Productions Inc. (e.g. Borderlands 4, NBA 2K26)
WB Games Inc. (e.g. Hogwarts Legacy)

So even staunch opponents of AI can feel comfortable supporting the respective developers and games in the future—no matter how advanced the off‑AI technology becomes—provided your PC can handle the demands. If you have any doubts, just check out the Intel Core i9‑14900KS, which delivers smooth performance even in the most demanding games. With an ASUS TUF Gaming Z790‑Plus motherboard, not even AI can fool you so easily.

(Image source: SAG-AFTRA)

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