[dropcap size=small]T[/dropcap]he video game actors unionized under the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTR) are set to strike tomorrow unless something drastic changes. It was on October 7th that the actors voted and agreed upon the strike.
The disagreement is not just over wages and the situation is becoming increasingly complicated. Many of the actors demands are reasonable like the call for residuals from royalties or the requirement of stunt coordinators being on-set.
Actors also want more transparency on the part of publishers. The video game industry is a secretive one and therefor many times actors are recording lines without context or even knowing who they are really playing.
The publishers also want to be able to fine voice actors for showing up late or having a lack of enthusiasm in their performance. Actors have said some of the publishers demands are not legal.
Many publishers are livid with what is transpiring and have released strongly worded statements, but the actors are sticking to their demands. There will be eleven publishers effected by the strike including EA, Activision and Disney.
However, there is debate over what the outcome of the strike will be. Union actors only appear in quarter of video games on the market and publishers are saying that the strike will only hurt the actors more.
The full list of demands can be read here.
The large corporations are likely to win here. Union actors will be forbidden to work on any production that began February 2015 or later. Thankfully, this means most upcoming releases like Red Dead Redemption 2 will not be greatly affected. Unfortunately, yearly games like EA’s Madden and NHL series might face delays.
What is most likely is publishers use non-union actors to fill roles going forward. Sure, some productions will be slowed if things need to be re-recorded due to the departure of a union talent, but voice actors are a very small part of video games. Unlike movies or television it is unlikely that the voice actors hold any significant leverage.
Final negotiations were set for Wednesday with no significant developments.
Stayed tuned to Geek Outpost for more news as it unfolds.
