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On July 9, SAG-AFTRA reached a deal with video game studios, and the 2025 SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement was passed by a vote of 95.04% to 4.96%. The new contract establishes safety guardrails for performers and advances around AI, including consent and disclosure requirements for the use of AI digital replicas, as well as the ability for performers to suspend consent for the generation of new material during a strike.
“The agreement provides compounded increases in performer compensation at a rate of 15.17% upon ratification, plus additional 3% increases in November 2025, November 2026, and November 2027. Additionally, the overtime rate maximum for overscale performers will now be based on double scale. The health & retirement contribution rates to the AFTRA Retirement Fund will now be raised from 16.5% to 17% and then to 17.5% in October 2026,” stated the SAG-AFTRA press release.
These weren’t the only gains on the new agreement, from The Beat’s previous story on the start of the negotiations:
“Essential new safety provisions were also secured, including a requirement for a qualified medical professional to be present or readily available at rehearsals and performances during which hazardous actions or working conditions are planned. Rest periods are now provided for on-camera principal performers, and employers can no longer request that performers complete stunts or other dangerous activity in virtual auditions.”
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said, “This deal achieves important progress around AI protections, and progress is the name of the game! My sincere respect goes out to the entire video game performer community and their allies for their solidarity during the strike, which provided the necessary leverage to secure this deal’s many essential gains.”
The ratification of the new deal also effectively ended the 300-day strike, which had been suspended pending the passage of this agreement.
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said, “All of us at SAG-AFTRA would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the video game performers and allies who endured a great deal of sacrifice throughout the 11-month strike…Now that the agreement is ratified, video game performers will be able to enjoy meaningful gains and important AI protections, which we will continue to build on as uses of this technology settle and evolve.”
The new agreement included the following video game studios: Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions, and WB Games.
On behalf of the video game producers that are party to the agreement, spokesperson Audrey Cooling added, “We are pleased that SAG-AFTRA members have ratified a new Interactive Media Agreement, which delivers historic wage increases, industry-leading AI protections, and enhanced health and safety measures for performers. We look forward to building on our industry’s decades-long partnership with the union and continuing to create groundbreaking entertainment experiences for billions of players worldwide.”
The passage of the SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement marks another step by the union in regulating AI and digital doubles. Last April, the union endorsed the NO FAKES Act, which would establish federal rules regarding the unauthorized creation and use of digital replicas of voice and visual likenesses of creators.
Read a full list of the provisions achieved in this contract here.
English (US) · 