Video game performers, represented by SAG-AFTRA, have voted to strike after nearly two years of negotiations with major gaming companies like Activision and Electronic Arts. The primary concern driving the strike is the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry, which performers fear could lead to their replacement through AI-generated voices and likenesses without consent or fair compensation. Although the gaming producers claim to have made significant offers, including wage increases and some AI protections, a key sticking point remains the definition of "performer" and the extent of protections for various roles, including motion capture and stunt artists. The strike follows a tumultuous period in the entertainment industry, with recent strikes in Hollywood. The ongoing negotiations may take time, as SAG-AFTRA members are adamant about securing comprehensive protections for all performers, not just voice actors, in an industry increasingly influenced by AI technology.
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