Pre-September 2023 Game Developments Spared from SAG-AFTRA Strike

The SAG-AFTRA union has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6, along with other titles in development prior to September 2023, is exempt from the ongoing video game strike due to a pre-existing agreement. According to a report by Kotaku, this exemption also extends to live-service games. Ray Rodriguez, SAG-AFTRA's chief contracts officer, expressed dissatisfaction with this arrangement, stating that it was a legacy provision inherited from a previous agreement. The union is preparing to contest the exemption status of certain titles to safeguard its members' interests. Rodriguez emphasized the union's commitment to effectively navigating the strike despite these exemptions. SAG-AFTRA has advised its members working on non-struck games to show solidarity by not crossing picket lines, as employers are legally barred from retaliating against them for this stance. Additionally, members on daily contracts have been cautioned against signing new agreements with non-struck games during the strike. The strike, called last week, aims to protect voice and performance actors from the impact of generative AI and to secure better job security.