So, Video Game Voice Actors Are On Strike: A Quick and Dirty Guide for Tumblr Users
Starting on July 26th, SAG-AFTRA members that are part of the Interactive Media Agreement (so mostly voice actors for video games) will be on strike. If you're a member of SAG-AFTRA with questions, I would speak to them.
Most of this information is coming from the SAG-AFTRA website, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about anything or ask if you need anything.
If you are a random tumblr user who wants to know what's going on, here we go.
Why are video game voice actors striking?
AI, as one could expect. From the union's statement:
Although agreements have been reached on many issues important to SAG-AFTRA members, the employers refuse to plainly affirm, in clear and enforceable language, that they will protect all performers covered by this contract in their A.I. language.
Which Games Are Being Struck?
Games from: Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc., VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc. are all being struck.
There is also a website to confirm which union projects are being struck but you'd need to be a member actively working on it to use it.
Ok so I'm not a voice actor, union or otherwise, I just like games. What should I do.
I can NOT stress this enough. Do NOT stop playing games. The union has not asked for this, and is instead asking for people to amplify our messages online using #LevelUpTheContract, #VideoGameStrike and #SagAftraStrong."
You can also sign this petition in support of voice actors getting a fair deal.
I'm not a union representative but if a game you're looking forward to is being covered by the struck companies, I'd blow up your social media and their mentions with how much you love the voice acting and the actors deserve a fair contract, but other than that you are not being asked to boycott any games or not cosplay or attend events.
A Streamer is playing a struck game! Is that crossing the picket line?
No, SAG-AFTRA explicitly says that is fine, and in fact encourages it.
An actor is promoting/promoted a struck work at SDCC, is that crossing the picket line?
No, the statement explicitly says those attending SDCC can still do work there because of the short notice, they are also fine.
Wait didn't SAG-AFTRA already do some weird bullshit regarding video game voice actors and AI?
Yes, at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, SAG-AFTRA signed a deal with Replica AI to allow their members to create digital replicas, it was a whole thing and many voice actors were pissed.
So they're hypocrites?
Ok it's more complicated than that. Their logic for the Replica AI thing is rather than allow companies to do whatever they want, it was better to have a system in place to be able to clearly say when a company was breaking the rules and ensure that talent got some compensation.
We can debate the efficacy of that strategy all day and voice actors at the time were not happy, BUT the companies being struck here refuse to even rise to THAT standard and will not agree to the most basic protections for actors, which is worse.
People and organizations contain multitudes and it is not a betrayal or hypocritical to disagree with SAG-AFTRA leadership on the Replica AI situation and side with them, and more importantly their members in this case.
Why aren't game devs striking/ It's not devs on strike so I don't care
The Screen Actors Guild covers actors, so it would not be in everyone's best interest if they were to try and negotiate on behalf of people in different fields with different needs.
However, one way to build support for the various movements to unionize at places like Activision-Blizzard and Bethesda is to support labor movements everywhere and show solidarity whenever it comes up.
Why are the actors striking when the developers should be paid more.
They should be paid more! And they should not be laid off as much. One way to help with that is to be able to point to voice actors and say, hey they got a raise, I want one too.
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I Uninstalled Genshin Impact | #Boycotthyv #videogamestrike
This video is a cut down stream I did on our twitch channel. In it I share how many play hours I have in Genshin before uninstalling the game for good. This is for accountability as I can't go back and play more of the game without that time going up. If that happens it means I went back on my word and failed at the Boycott. I explain in the video why i feel it's important for content creators to fully boycott the game and not just go free to play.
The rest of the video is me going through comments from multiple PoC genshin players sharing their own experiences and frustrations with the Natlan news. As many of them say it is not just "White US SJWs" upset with this but real people from these cultures. I felt it important to compile a large chunk of their voices in one place. If you are struggling to understand why people are upset please consider pausing at these comments and reading a few of the full comments themselves.
If you decide not to fully boycott Genshin that's up to you. But please consider signing these petitions supporting the two strikes at the very least.
Change.org petition about the whitewashing directed at Mihoyo
Petition about video game voice actors directed at voice acting agencies
SAG-AFTRA Video Games members are going on strike!
Mainly video game companies are stealing their labour to duplicate their images and voices for AI.
Announcement:
FAQ for participants and fans:
Media kit for showing support:
Hat-tip to Monday Moon for sharing this info on Masto:
So I just found out that as of *today*, July 26, SAG-AFTRA Video Games members are going on strike, mainly against AI being used in video ga
I 100% support this action and have been very concerned about this for some time, as many games now necessitate the use of motion capture and full-body scans in order to achieve the high-quality images we get to enjoy! I'm very happy to see the individual pores on Bryan Dechart's face, but not at the cost of his future livelihood!
One important aspect is that the strikers are NOT asking fans to stop playing games:
No, not at all! We are not asking you to stop playing video games. In fact the opposite! Please continue doing what you love, and any support and solidarity would be extremely appreciated!
This is the main action they request from fans:
You can help amplify our messages online using #LevelUpTheContract, #VideoGameStrike and #SagAftraStrong. Click HERE for a look at how you can engage in this fight.
Have another idea of how you want to show your support? Reach out to us at [email protected].
There's more detail in the FAQ for streamers, podcasters etc, but not that they are not calling for a boycott from people not involved in the industry.
