SAG-AFTRA Allows Game Devs to Work with Union Performers on Strike
The ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has been making headlines in the gaming industry, with many developers struggling to find alternative solutions to complete their projects. However, in a recent move, SAG-AFTRA has announced two waivers that will allow game developers to work with actors during the strike. These waivers, known as the Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement, are aimed at providing aspiring game developers with a chance to gain experience and learn from industry professionals, while also respecting the union’s demands.
The strike, which began in October 2022, was called by SAG-AFTRA to protest the lack of fair compensation and benefits for union performers in the gaming industry. The union represents over 160,000 performers, including voice actors, stunt performers, and game developers, and has been pushing for improved working conditions and better pay for its members.
The two waivers announced by SAG-AFTRA are designed to support young and aspiring game developers, as well as students and hobbyists, who want to gain experience in game development. The Student Interactive Waiver Agreement allows students and students-to-be to work on interactive projects, such as video games, with union performers, while the Game Jam Waiver Agreement permits game developers to participate in game jams, which are short-term game development events, with union performers.
Under these waivers, game developers will be required to follow certain guidelines and procedures to ensure that the work is done in accordance with SAG-AFTRA’s rules and regulations. For example, game developers will need to obtain permission from SAG-AFTRA before starting a project, and they will be required to pay union performers a fair wage for their work.
The waivers are seen as a positive development for the gaming industry, as they will allow young and aspiring game developers to gain valuable experience and learn from industry professionals, while also respecting the union’s demands. The waivers will also provide a way for game developers to complete projects that are already in progress, while the strike continues.
The move by SAG-AFTRA to allow game developers to work with union performers on strike has been welcomed by the gaming community, which has been affected by the strike. Many game developers have been struggling to find alternative solutions to complete their projects, and the waivers will provide a way for them to do so.
In a statement, SAG-AFTRA president, Gabrielle Carteris, said that the union is committed to supporting its members and protecting their rights. “We are pleased to offer these waivers, which will allow young and aspiring game developers to gain experience and learn from industry professionals, while also respecting the union’s demands,” she said.
The gaming industry has been facing a number of challenges in recent years, including the rise of independent game development and the increasing competition for talent. The strike by SAG-AFTRA has added to these challenges, and many game developers have been struggling to find alternative solutions to complete their projects.
The waivers announced by SAG-AFTRA are seen as a positive development for the gaming industry, as they will provide a way for game developers to complete projects that are already in progress, while the strike continues. The waivers will also provide a way for young and aspiring game developers to gain experience and learn from industry professionals, which will be beneficial for the industry in the long run.
In conclusion, the announcement by SAG-AFTRA to allow game developers to work with union performers on strike is a positive development for the gaming industry. The two waivers, the Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement, are aimed at supporting young and aspiring game developers, as well as students and hobbyists, who want to gain experience in game development. The waivers will provide a way for game developers to complete projects that are already in progress, while the strike continues, and will also provide a way for young and aspiring game developers to gain experience and learn from industry professionals.
