SAG-AFTRA has called an end to the more-than-300-day video game actors strike after reaching a tentative deal for a new Interactive Media Agreement with the major video game companies.
The actors union said in a statement Wednesday, “Pursuant to the authority previously delegated by the National Board, with the advice and consent of the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA) Negotiating Committee, National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland officially suspends the strike against the companies signatory to the Interactive Media Agreement, effective at noon PT today, Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
On Thursday, the SAG-AFTRA National Board approved the tentative agreement with the video game bargaining group, reaching terms for the Interactive Media Agreement. The contract has been submitted to membership to be voted on for ratification, with the Board recommending a “Yes.”
Popular on Variety
As laid out by SAG-AFTRA, the agreement would provided compounded increases in compensation, going up 15.17% upon ratification and additional increases of 3% in November 2025, 2026 and 2027. Health and retirement contribution rates are also upped from 16.5% to 17%, going up to 17.5% in October 2026. The agreement also requires informed consent across various AI implementations and the ability for performers to suspend informed consent for digital replicas during a strike.
All SAG-AFTRA members are instructed to return to work on productions under the IMA, including work promoting or publicizing projects produced under the IMA.
The SAG-AFTRA National Board will meet in special session tomorrow, June 12, 2025, to consider the tentative agreement. If approved, it will be sent out for ratification by the union’s membership in accordance with established policy. Details of the agreement will be released at that time.”
The end to the strike comes two days after SAG-AFTRA announced it had accepted a tentative deal for a new contract with the major video game companies, which included Activision, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions and WB Games Inc. The major sticking point in negotiations that kept the strike going for nearly a year was protections surrounding generative A.I., which the gaming companies made significant acquiescences to come their best, last and final offer.
In their own statement, a spokesperson for the video game companies said Wednesday: “We are pleased to have reached a tentative contract agreement that reflects the important contributions of SAG-AFTRA-represented performers in video games. This agreement builds on three decades of successful partnership between the interactive entertainment industry and the union. It delivers historic wage increases of over 24% for performers, enhanced health and safety protections, and industry-leading AI provisions requiring transparency, consent and compensation for the use of digital replicas in games. We look forward to continuing to work with performers to create new and engaging entertainment experiences for billions of players throughout the world.”
