SAG-AFTRA Introduces New Tier for Independent Game Development Contract

SAG-AFTRA has introduced an additional tier to its Independent Interactive Media Agreement, providing union coverage to studios with project budgets ranging from $15 million to $30 million. This expanded agreement offers benefits such as provisions against AI, access to unionized voice actors and performers, informed consent, and compensation for digital replica use. Actors will also receive additional payments based on unit sales. Initially, the agreement covered projects across three tiers, with budgets between $250,000 and $15 million. According to Sarah Elmaleh, chair of SAG-AFTRA's Interactive Media Agreement negotiating committee, this expansion will provide more opportunities for union performers to work with benefits and protections, including AI safeguards. The union aims to create contracts that foster collaboration between actors and developers across various budgets and scopes. Last year, SAG-AFTRA members voted in favor of strike authorization for video game actors and performers but failed to reach an agreement with game companies. Recent discussions between SAG-AFTRA executives and GamesIndustry.biz highlighted the ongoing negotiations, with a focus on AI protection and the need for companies to revisit their stance on member protection.