Video game performers strike over AI concerns, seeking fair use and safety measures.
Table of Contents
Video Game Performers on Strike Over AI Concerns
If you’re not deeply involved in the world of video games, you might not realize how integral real actors are to modern gaming. These actors contribute everything from a few lines for minor characters to recording hundreds or even thousands of emotional lines, says Michigan State professor Amanda Cote, who studies the gaming industry and culture.
“For storyline-driven games, like Mass Effect or Far Cry, actors record hundreds of lines to cover various story branches that a player might encounter. These lines need to make sense within the evolving narrative,” she explains. Unlike movies with a single script version, video games require multiple potential endings and arcs, ensuring coherence with character development.
In addition to voice acting, performance capture artists wear bodysuits with sensors to digitally capture their movements, which are then computerized. Major game studios rely heavily on these performers, contributing to the industry’s substantial revenue of nearly $185 billion last year.
Also Read:- Tencent Unveils Latest Tech at Gamescom 2024
However, not everyone is content.
Generative AI: The Core Issue
Video game performers are currently on strike. Their union, SAG-AFTRA, had been in contract negotiations with major video game companies for over a year and a half. Cote mentions that performers seek clearer safety and protection measures, such as a five-minute break per hour of on-camera work and an on-set medic during stunts. While the union and game producers have agreed on most issues, discussions have stalled over artificial intelligence.
Veronica Taylor, a video game actor, expresses concern about companies potentially replacing them with AI or using their voices and movements without consent. She reveals, “I have found my voice in voice banks where people can make it say things I’ve never said.”
The companies claim to have offered AI protections, but union members argue these don’t cover everyone. Stunt performers and those captured digitally fear that companies might create digital replicas of their work without permission.
Andi Norris, a SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee member, argues that movements captured for games are more than just data points. “I can crawl all over as a creature, and they argue that’s not a performance subject to AI protections,” she says, emphasizing that her work involves real human effort.
Performers acknowledge that AI has a place in games but insist that its use must be transparent and compensated fairly.
The Strike’s Broader Implications
Zeke Alton, another member of the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee, believes that performers are setting a precedent for how new technology will impact workers globally. “We are deciding whether this technology will be a tool for creativity and efficiency or a means for executives to replace workers,” he states.
Cote adds that generative AI could destabilize creative industries, particularly gaming. While AI faces challenges in live-action settings due to the ‘uncanny valley’ effect, this issue is less pronounced in gaming where performances are attached to digital avatars. This makes the use of generative AI more feasible in gaming than in other industries.
Also Read:- Deadpool PS4 Game Prices Surge After Film
Video game actors, whose performances are transformed into computer data, feel especially vulnerable to AI replacement. Their current negotiations will shape how this technology is perceived and utilized in the future.
A spokesperson for the video game companies involved in the negotiations stated that they have reached agreements on 24 out of 25 proposals and expressed disappointment that the union has chosen to strike despite nearing a deal. The companies are prepared to resume negotiations.
The Role of Actors in Modern Video Games
In the early days of video games, characters were often voiceless and animated through basic pixel art. Today, the industry has evolved to include complex, narrative-driven experiences that rival Hollywood films in production value. Voice and performance capture actors are now crucial in bringing these digital characters to life, making their performances more authentic and emotionally engaging.
Actors like Jennifer Hale, known for her role as Commander Shepard in Mass Effect, and Troy Baker, who played Joel in The Last of Us, have become celebrities within the gaming community. Their work involves not just voice acting but also motion capture, where their physical performances are digitized to create lifelike character animations.
Motion Capture: A Vital Component
Motion capture, or performance capture, involves actors wearing specialized suits equipped with sensors that track their movements. These performances are recorded and translated into digital animations, which are then applied to characters in the game. This technology allows for incredibly detailed and realistic character movements, adding depth and believability to the game’s narrative.
For example, in the Uncharted series, actor Nolan North’s performance as Nathan Drake includes not only his voice but also his physical movements, facial expressions, and body language. This integration of voice and physical performance helps create a cohesive and immersive experience for players.
Also Read:- Shapez 2 Launches August 15, 2024
The Financial Impact of the Gaming Industry
The video game industry is a financial powerhouse, generating close to $185 billion in revenue last year. This immense profitability underscores the importance of the contributions made by voice and performance capture actors. However, despite the industry’s success, these performers often face challenging working conditions, including long hours, physically demanding stunts, and vocal strain.
Safety and Protection Measures
One of the key issues in the SAG-AFTRA negotiations is the need for clearer safety and protection measures for performers. These measures include mandatory breaks, on-set medics during stunt performances, and protections against vocal strain. These concerns are not trivial, as the physical and vocal demands placed on performers can lead to long-term health issues.
For instance, voice actors often need to perform intense vocalizations, such as screams or grunts, which can cause vocal cord damage if not managed properly. Similarly, motion capture performers may be required to perform complex and dangerous stunts, increasing the risk of injury. The union is advocating for measures that ensure performers’ safety and well-being.
The AI Dilemma
Artificial intelligence is at the heart of the current dispute between video game performers and companies. While AI has the potential to revolutionize various aspects of game development, it also poses significant threats to human performers. The main concern is that AI could be used to replicate actors’ voices and movements without their consent, effectively replacing them.
This concern is not unfounded. Advances in generative AI have made it possible to create realistic voice and movement simulations. These AI-generated performances can be used to create new lines of dialogue or animate characters without needing a human performer. This technology, while innovative, raises ethical and legal questions about consent, compensation, and the value of human artistry.
Also Read:- Star Wars: Bounty Hunter Re-Release with Boba Fett Skin
Ethical and Legal Implications
The ethical implications of using AI in place of human performers are significant. Actors like Veronica Taylor are worried about losing control over their own voices and performances. When AI can replicate their voices, it opens the door to unauthorized use, potentially saying things they never agreed to. This not only undermines their creative control but also their ability to earn a livelihood.
Legally, the use of AI-generated performances without consent could be considered a violation of intellectual property rights. Performers have a right to control how their work is used and to be compensated for it. The union is fighting to ensure that any use of AI in video games is done transparently, with clear agreements in place to protect performers’ rights.
The Broader Impact on Creative Industries
The issues raised by the strike extend beyond the gaming industry. As generative AI becomes more prevalent, similar concerns are likely to arise in other creative fields, such as film, television, and music. The outcome of these negotiations could set a precedent for how AI is used across various industries and how workers’ rights are protected in the face of technological advancements.
Also Read:- Shadows of the Damned Remaster Review
The Future of AI in Gaming
Despite the challenges, AI also offers exciting possibilities for the future of gaming. When used responsibly, AI can enhance game development by creating more dynamic and responsive game worlds. For instance, AI can be used to generate complex narratives that adapt to players’ choices, creating a more personalized gaming experience.
However, for AI to be a positive force in the industry, it must be implemented in ways that respect and value human contributions. This means establishing clear guidelines and agreements that protect performers’ rights and ensure they are fairly compensated for their work.
Conclusion
The strike by video game performers highlights the complex interplay between technology and human labor in the gaming industry. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to address the ethical, legal, and financial implications of its use. The outcome of these negotiations will not only impact the future of video game performers but also set a precedent for how AI is integrated into creative industries as a whole.
Video game performers, whose human performances are transformed into computer data, feel especially vulnerable to AI replacement. Their current negotiations will shape how this technology is perceived and utilized in the future. A spokesperson for the video game companies involved in the negotiations stated that they have reached agreements on 24 out of 25 proposals and expressed disappointment that the union has chosen to strike despite nearing a deal. The companies are prepared to resume negotiations.
FAQs
1. What are video game performers striking about?
Video game performers are striking over concerns about artificial intelligence replacing their work and using their voices and movements without consent. They also seek clearer safety and protection measures.
2. Who is involved in the strike?
The strike involves video game performers represented by the union SAG-AFTRA, which has been in contract negotiations with major video game companies.
3. Why is AI a sticking point in the negotiations?
Performers fear that AI could replace their jobs or use their voices and movements without permission. They want AI use to be transparent, understandable, and fairly compensated.
4. How does AI threaten video game performers?
AI can replicate actors’ voices and movements, potentially replacing human performers without their consent. This raises ethical and legal concerns about control and compensation.
5. What safety and protection measures are performers seeking?
Performers seek measures such as mandatory breaks, on-set medics during stunts, and protections against vocal strain to ensure their safety and well-being.
Also Read:- Zoochosis: The Weirdest Horror Game Yet
6. How does motion capture work in video games?
Motion capture involves actors wearing suits with sensors
to digitally record their movements. These performances are then used to animate characters in the game, adding realism and depth.
7. What is the financial impact of the video game industry?
The video game industry generated close to $185 billion in revenue last year, highlighting the significant contributions of voice and performance capture actors.
8. How might the outcome of these negotiations impact other industries?
The outcome could set a precedent for how AI is used in other creative fields, such as film, television, and music, and how workers’ rights are protected in the face of technological advancements.