logo
Industry video game actors pass agreement with studios for AI security

Industry video game actors pass agreement with studios for AI security

CNA10-07-2025
LOS ANGELES :Hollywood video game voice and motion capture actors signed a new contract with video game studios on Wednesday with a focus on artificial intelligence protections, the actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, said in a press release, ending a near year-long strike.
"AI was the centerpiece of our proposal package," video game voice actor and member of the negotiation committee Sarah Elmaleh told Reuters after the new agreement passed.
Elmaleh, a voice actor for popular titles like "Final Fantasy XV" and "Call of Duty: Black Ops III," said she knew it was crucial to ensure there was a baseline for how to ethically use AI in the gaming industry.
The new protections include consent and disclosure requirements for AI digital replica use and the ability for performers to suspend consent for the generation of new material during a strike.
"This deal achieves important progress around AI protections, and progress is the name of the game," SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said in the guild's statement.
The deal applies to video game studios Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions and WB Games.
The new Interactive Media Agreement, which goes into effect immediately, was approved by SAG-AFTRA members by a vote of 95.04 per cent to 4.96 per cent, ratifying the deal and ending the video game strike, which had been suspended pending ratification.
The new contract also offers more performer safety measures, which was a specific concern for motion capture video game performers.
"There are folks who not only give their voices to these characters, but their bodies, and they put their bodies on the line for these characters," Elmaleh said.
Motion capture actors will have medics available during high-risk jobs.
The deal also provides compounded increases in performer pay at a rate of 15.17 per cent upon ratification plus additional 3 per cent increases in November 2025, November 2026 and November 2027.
The work stoppage of video game voice actors and motion-capture performers started following failed contract negotiations focused around AI-related protections for workers, bringing about another work stoppage in Hollywood following the dual writers' and actors' strikes in 2023.
The strike brought a larger call to action across Hollywood as people in the industry advocate for a law that can protect them from AI risks.
The NO FAKES Act, a bipartisan bill in Congress which would make it illegal to make an AI replica of someone's likeness and voice without their permission, has gained support from the SAG-AFTRA performers union, the Motion Picture Association, The Recording Academy and Disney.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

George Lucas makes Comic-Con debut for Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
George Lucas makes Comic-Con debut for Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

CNA

time5 hours ago

  • CNA

George Lucas makes Comic-Con debut for Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

Excited fans waved glowing Star Wars lightsabers on Sunday (Jul 27) at the San Diego Comic-Con panel for George Lucas' latest project, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Along with Lucas, the panel included director Guillermo del Toro and Doug Chiang, vice president of Disney's Lucasfilm, with Queen Latifah moderating at the San Diego Convention Center. Attendees shouted "Lucas! Lucas! Lucas!" and clapped their hands in anticipation of the Star Wars creator's arrival, and gave the 81-year-old Lucas a standing ovation as he took his seat. "Opening in 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is a first-of-its-kind institution dedicated to illustrated storytelling across time, cultures, and media," a press release from the museum said. The 11-acre campus, in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, will include a green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theatres, a library, restaurant, cafe, and retail and community spaces. Some of its collection will include art from comic book artist Jack Kirby, painter Norman Rockwell and illustrator Kadir Nelson, as well as a Lucas archive with models, props, concept art and costumes. "I love all art, no matter what it is," Lucas said after showing a video that gave a sneak peek at the museum. The video included renderings of the museum interior and exterior, as well as the museum's broad range of art ranging from more traditional fine art and comic book strips to Star Wars sculptures and installations. Lucas began the panel recalling his days as a college student struggling to pursue his dream of becoming an art collector due to the steep cost of fine art. But the filmmaker found an affordable exception with comic books, sold cheaply in "underground" markets. Now, rather than selling art he collected over around 50 years, Lucas said he prefers to create what he calls a "temple to the people's art". Lucas kept the conversation focused on the museum and did not discuss Star Wars or Indiana Jones. For del Toro, the museum offers a visual past that belongs to everyone and can't be erased, noting that he may move some of his personal art collection to the Lucas Museum.

Fantastic Four: First Steps scores Marvel's first US$100 million North American box office opening of 2025
Fantastic Four: First Steps scores Marvel's first US$100 million North American box office opening of 2025

CNA

time6 hours ago

  • CNA

Fantastic Four: First Steps scores Marvel's first US$100 million North American box office opening of 2025

Marvel's first family has finally found box office gold. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the first film about the superheroes made under the guidance of Kevin Feige and the Walt Disney Co, earned US$118 million (S$151 million) in its first weekend in 4,125 North American theatres, according to studio estimates Sunday (Jul 27). That makes it the fourth biggest opening of the year, behind A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch and Superman, and the biggest Marvel opening since Deadpool & Wolverine grossed US$211 million out of the gate last summer. Internationally, Fantastic Four made US$100 million from 52 territories, adding up to a US$218 million worldwide debut. The numbers were within the range the studio was expecting. The film arrived in the wake of another big superhero reboot, James Gunn's Superman, which opened three weekends ago and has already crossed US$500 million globally. That film, from the other main player in comic book films, DC Studios, took second place with US$24.9 million in North America. First Steps is the latest attempt at bringing the superhuman family to the big screen, following lackluster performances for other versions. The film, based on the original Marvel comics, is set during the 1960s in a retro-futuristic world led by the Fantastic Four, a family of astronauts-turned-superhuman from exposure to cosmic rays during a space mission. The family is made up of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), who can stretch his body to incredible lengths; Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), who can render herself invisible; Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), who transforms into a fiery human torch; and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), who possesses tremendous superhuman strength with his stone-like flesh. The movie takes place four years after the family gained powers, during which Reed's inventions have transformed technology, and Sue's diplomacy has led to global peace. Both audiences and critics responded positively to the film, which currently has an 88 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes and promising exit poll responses from opening weekend ticket buyers. An estimated 46 per cent of audiences chose to see it on premium screens, including IMAX and other large formats. The once towering Marvel is working to rebuild audience enthusiasm for its films and characters. Its two previous offerings this year did not reach the cosmic box office heights of Deadpool & Wolverine, which made over US$1.3 billion, or those of the Avengers-era. But critically, the films have been on an upswing since the poorly reviewed Captain America: Brave New World, which ultimately grossed US$415 million worldwide. Thunderbolts, which jumpstarted the summer movie season, was better received critically but financially is capping out at just over US$382 million globally. Like Deadpool and Wolverine, the Fantastic Four characters had been under the banner of 20th Century Fox for years. The studio produced two critically loathed, but decently profitable attempts in the mid-2000s with future Captain America Chris Evans as the Human Torch. In 2015, it tried again (unsuccessfully) with Michael B Jordan and Miles Teller. They got another chance after Disney's US$71 billion acquisition of Fox's entertainment assets in 2019.

Lilo & Stitch stars reflect on film's global box office success after crossing US$1 billion
Lilo & Stitch stars reflect on film's global box office success after crossing US$1 billion

CNA

timea day ago

  • CNA

Lilo & Stitch stars reflect on film's global box office success after crossing US$1 billion

A few things have changed for the stars of Lilo & Stitch since the movie became the breakout hit of 2025. For 8-year-old star Maia Kealoha, it's meant no more Doritos – she's learned she has to keep her teeth clean, especially when doing interviews. Kealoha, Sydney Agudong and Tia Carrere have been doing lots of those, taking a victory lap with Lilo & Stitch at Comic-Con 2025 and promoting the film's release for digital purchase. Another change? Kealoha says with a big grin that she's been recognised at stores 'like five thousand times.' Agudong says the movie 'an ode to Hawaii', and it's been really cool to 'see how much the world has taken to it and how much impact 'Lilo & Stitch' really has had as just this lifelong and timeless story.' She says she's been fortunate to celebrate the film's success with family and friends and despite premieres and whirlwind interviews, she still gets to 'go to the beach and have fun all over again and I'm just the same.' Kealoha and Agudong are the breakout stars of the film, which is the biggest blockbuster of 2025, earning more than $1 billion. 'Our little blue friend Stitch is now a billionaire and we couldn't be more excited about it,' Carrere says excitedly. As for a sequel, Agudong says the trio are feeling 'hanna hou,' a Hawaiian term for repeating or doing something again. 'Though, of course, we cannot confirm or deny the existence of any such project in this universe or the next. Sorry!' Carrere cheerfully noted.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store