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The video game voice actor strike has made progress as Last Sentinel developer Lightspeed LA has become the first to sign the union's agreement promising better rights for actors and protections against artificial intelligence.
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced Lightspeed LA's signing of the agreement, which "gives the company access to SAG-AFTRA members under fair and equitable conditions."
The strike began on July 26, 2024 with aims to improve the working conditions of voice actors and highlight their concerns regarding AI. The strike, and interim agreement signed by Lightspeed LA, therefore features it as a key sticking point.
"[The agreement] permits members to work during the video game strike and reflects the union’s bedrock proposal requirements, which include common-sense AI protections," SAG-AFTRA said.
Lightspeed LA general manager Steve Martin added that the studio "has always recognized and valued the irreplaceable role of talent, which injects creativity, innovation, and the human touch into video games. Supporting our cast is the right thing to do and there was never any hesitation to consider the performer protections that anchor this agreement."
Myriad voice actors have commented on the threat of AI already, including Metal Gear Solid and Mass Effect actress Jennifer Hale. "The truth is, AI is just a tool like a hammer," she said. "If I take my hammer, I could build you a house. I can also take that same hammer and I can smash your skin and destroy who you are.”
Hale revealed in October 2023 she was paid just $1,200 for her role as Naomi Hunter in the original Metal Gear Solid, a game which eventually grossed $176 million for publisher Konami (and is still making the company money through myriad re-releases).
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt lead Doug Cockle similarly expressed caution and frustration at the growing presence of AI within the video game industry, calling it "inevitable" but "dangerous."
Cissy Jones, a voice actor known for her roles in Disney's Owl House, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, Shin Megami Tensei 5, and more, has started a company called Morpheme.ai to let voice actors embrace AI and gain control of their own voices going forward.
Voice actors have previously called out AI-generated explicit Skyrim mods, and Assassin's Creed Syndicate voice actress Victoria Atkin called AI-generated mods the “invisible enemy we're fighting right now” after discovering her voice was used by cloning software. Paul Eiding, the voice actor behind Colonel Campbell in the Metal Gear Solid series, also condemned its use.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.
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