Video game actors speak out after union announces AI voice deal
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG AFTRA) has announced a new deal which it claims will protect actors from unauthorized AI replications of their voices.
However, the deal, which has been made with AI firm Replica Studios, has divided video game actors as the controversial topic of AI replication in the world of performance comes to a head.
According to SAG AFTRA, the deal will “enable Replica to engage SAG-AFTRA members under a fair, ethical agreement to safely create and license a digital replica of their voice. Licensed voices can be used in video game development and other interactive media projects from pre-production to final release.”
The deal reportedly includes minimum terms and the requirement for performers’ consent to use their voice for AI.
However, several prominent video game voice actors were quick to respond on X, specifically to a portion of the statement which claims the deal was approved by “affected members of the union’s voiceover performer community.”
Apex Legends voice actor Erika Ishii <a class=«link-internal» href=«https://twitter.com/erikaishii/status/1744879346077278475?ref_src=» https:>wrote
: “Approved by… WHO exactly?? Was any one of the ‘affected members’ who signed off on this a working voice actor?”Starfield, Deus Ex, and Assassin’s Creed actor Elias Toufexis echoed these concerns, writing: “I would humbly consider myself one of the top voice actors working in games. No one asked me about this. No one reached out for my opinion.”
Xander Mobus, best known for his role as the voice of the announcer in Super Smash Bros, wrote, “Fucking…who?! Did any of y’all approve this? I didn’t get told we were voting on this. SAG leadership, please, I’m begging
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