Video Game Workers and Industry Agree to AI Restrictions in New Labor Contract
Chris Garlock | Published on 7/17/2025
In national voting, SAG-AFTRA members approved the 2025 SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement with
a “yes” vote of 95.04%, ratifying the deal.
The new contract includes performer safety guardrails and gains around artificial intelligence (AI), including consent and disclosure requirements for AI digital replica use and the ability for performers to suspend consent for the generation of new material during a strike.
The contract also provides compounded increases in performer compensation at a rate of 15.17% upon ratification; additional 3% increases in November 2025, November 2026 and November 2027; a change where the overtime rate maximum for overscale performers will be based on double scale; and an increase in health and retirement contribution rates to the AFTRA Retirement Fund, from 16.5% to 17% and then to 17.5% in October 2026.
“I commend the strong leadership of Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Chair Sarah Elmaleh, who remained steadfast through three years of hard bargaining while facing many challenging headwinds during a challenging negotiation cycle,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “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.”
- AFL-CIO Daily Brief