Video Gaming industry is undoubtedly a booming one, having already proven its worth; it is showing signs of only soaring ahead in the coming future. But just like any other industry, it is not devoid of its issues and problems.
Various video game voice actors have gone on a strike given an almost two years long negotiation attempt between the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and publishers failed to reach a conclusion by the deadline which was set for 12 am of 21 October. The tussle was regarding the compensation and policies regarding it and from the past 19 months regarding issues such as health allowances (like limiting vocally stressing sessions to two hours as to prevent damage to the actor’s voice), profit sharing based payments and more such topics.
The list of publishers consist of some of the biggest and most prevalent names of the industry like Activision Publishing, VoiceWorks Productions, Insomniac Games, Blindlight, Corps of Discovery Films, Electronic Arts, Disney Character Voices, Formosa Interactive, Interactive Associates, Take-Two Interactive and WB Games. While a lawyer from the companies’ side informed that an increment of 9 per cent plus additional compensation was offered to the performers from SAG-AFTRA but the union refused it.
“We had hoped this would be successful, but union leadership left mediation without providing a counteroffer. We urged union leaders to put the package to a vote of their membership, but union leaders refused,” said Scott J. Witlin from the Barnes & Thornburg’s law firm, who was acting as the chief negotiator from the companies.
A federal mediator was brought in on Wednesday but no conclusive result was achieved.
Any games from these companies which have gone into production after 17 February, 2015 will come under the strike, according to the union.
SAG-AFTRA in a statement said, “This group of video game employers knowingly feeds off other industries that pay these same performers fairly to make a living. This represents a ‘freeloader model of compensation’ that we believe cannot and should not continue.” And it goes on.
We will keep you updated on the issue as it develops.