A few weeks ago, we reported that many of your favorite video game voice actors were discussing the possibility of going on strike. Well, we're one step closer to that possibility, as SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents these voice actors, has announced members have agreed to give the organization authority to go on strike.
According to the announcement, 96.52 percent of its members voted in favor of granting the union the authority to call a strike. Only a 75 percent vote was required for SAG-AFTRA to be granted that authority.
Prominent voice actors such as David Hayter (Metal Gear Solid), Jennifer Hale (Mass Effect), and Elias Toufexis (Deus Ex: Human Revolution) have come out in support of the movement, taking to Twitter to voice their solidarity under the #PerformanceMatters hashtag.
The strike would seek to provide union members with residual pay - something actors working in other fields of the entertainment industry receive, but do not earn when working on video games - as well as hazard pay for stressful vocal sessions, and guaranteed stunt coordinators for motion capture sessions.
The voice actors aren't officially on strike yet, but its members now agree to the possibility of a strike, should one be necessary. SAG-AFTRA will meet with publishers and producers with this information in hand to attempt a compromise one last time. Should negotiations fall through, there's a good chance the voice actors will indeed strike.
While a strike probably won't affect any games coming out in the coming months, there's a possibility it could affect the production of games released within the next year or so - as well as potentially affecting how business is done in other aspects of game development.
