SAG-AFTRA Ends Video Game Actor Strike After Yearlong Dispute

The video game voice actor strike has officially 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 across the gaming industry. Strike actions were formally suspended effective noon PT yesterday (June 11).

This resolution means performers can resume work, reducing disruptions for both developers and players. Several ongoing titles like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft had noticeably featured voiceless NPCs in normally voiced sequences during the strike period. Last year, Riot Games faced strike action after reportedly attempting to circumvent labor actions by canceling projects. Activision confirmed Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 recast certain roles following player feedback about vocal changes, while Epic Games faces NLRB charges after implementing an AI-generated Darth Vader NPC in Fortnite.

The dispute originated in July 2024 when negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and major studios — including Activision, Electronic Arts, and WB Games — stalled primarily over AI usage protections. Union members approved strike action with 98% support.

The agreement awaits final approval at today's special meeting (June 12), after which members will vote on ratification.

Horizon actress Ashly Burch's experience highlights why performers fought these protections. Leaked footage showed Sony engineers interacting with an AI-generated Aloy featuring synthetic speech and robotic facial animations — clearly not Burch's performance. "Consent, fair compensation, and transparency about AI usage are non-negotiable," Burch stated regarding digital replicas. "This fight protects future generations of performers and preserves authentic storytelling in games."