We previously reported that video game voice actor union SAG-AFTRA authorized a strike, in the event that negotiations with video game publishers fall through.
After well over a year of negotiations, the union is ready to go on strike this upcoming Friday, October 21st, unless a deal can be made this week.
These changes are reflected on the official strike notice, which reads:
The National Board of Directors instructs all SAG-AFTRA members to withhold performing services and auditioning for work under the Interactive Media Agreement with respect to struck games for the following struck employers effective midnight of October 21, 2016.
All covered services must be withheld, including, but not limited to: voice acting; motion or performance capture work; background work; principal on camera work (including singing, dancing and performing stunts); authorizing the use of your voice or of a sound-a-like voice in a videogame; consenting to the reuse of prior work into a struck game; performing on a trailer for a struck game and performing on “downloadable content (DLC)” or other ancillary content connected to a struck game.
SAG-AFTRA doesn’t seem very confident in the likely hood of striking a deal however, as they detailed this in a post on their main site which says the following:
Despite years of concerted effort and negotiating sessions, video game employers have steadfastly refused to reach a fair deal during our contract negotiations.
We head back to the table Oct. 17-19 with the goal of creating a fair contract that is rooted in industry standards and best practices. Based on past experience, we are not confident management is willing to make the changes necessary to bring this contract up to the standards of our other agreements
The union also a detailed a list of all the publishers to be affected by the strike, which consists of:
- Activision Publishing, Inc.
- Blindlight, LLC
- Corps of Discovery Films
- Disney Character Voices, Inc.
- Electronic Arts Productions, Inc.
- Formosa Interactive, LLC
- Insomniac Games, Inc.
- Interactive Associates, Inc.
- Take 2 Interactive Software
- VoiceWorks Productions, Inc.
- WB Games, Inc.
It’s also worth mentioning that the games to be affected are those that begun production after February 17, 2015.
The voice actors for the strike include the likes of Jennifer Hale (Mass Effect), David Hayter (Metal Gear Solid), Steve Blum (Vanquish), Elias Toufexis (Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided), and more.
What do you guys think about the potential of a voice actor strike? Sound off in the comments below.
