Members of the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA are now on strike over concerns about AI, but development on Grand Theft Auto VI is unaffected. A spokesperson for the group representing game publishers in the labor negotiations confirmed this to Kotaku.
“I can confirm GTA VI is exempt,” the representative said, adding that any game that was in development prior to September 2023 is exempt as well. Live-service games are unaffected by the strike situation, too, so content for games like Fortnite should continue to release normally.
The strike began today, July 26, at 12:01 AM. It’s the first time SAG-AFTRA video game actors have gone on strike since 2016, when the work stoppage lasted for about one year.
SAG-AFTRA and game publishers like Warner Bros., Activision, Disney, and others, negotiated for about two years prior to the strike being called. The key sticking point appears to be regulation of generative AI technology.
The actors’ union says protections against AI are necessary because without it, game companies could train AI to replace human talent. “We strike as a matter of last resort. We have given this process absolutely as much time as we responsibly can. We have exhausted the other possibilities, and that is why we’re doing it now,” SAG-AFTRA chief contracts officer Ray Rodriguez said, as reported by The Associated Press.
For its part, the video game publisher representative, Audrey Cooling, said the video game companies have offered “meaningful AI protections.” Cooling added, “We are disappointed the union has chosen to walk away when we are so close to a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations.”
SAG-AFTRA actors covered by the strike include more than 2,500 performers who do things like voiceover, motion capture, and stunts, along with singers and dancers, among other jobs.
In January, SAG-AFTRA signed a controversial agreement with AI voice software company Replica Studios. The agreement, which essentially approved AI voice acting in video games, was criticized by voice actors, many of whom claimed they were never consulted about the agreement.
As for GTA VI, the game is slated to release in 2025, though pretty much every Rockstar Games title in the past 10 years has been delayed.
