IMA - Interactive Media Agreement
The contract that union games must adhere to when hiring performers.
ICDR - Independently Created Digital Replica
Basically a voice model or synthesized voice with AI.
Also the strike is only ongoing because SAG's bargaining partners have agreed to literally everything except the full extent of AI protections.
variety.com/2025/gaming/...
SAG wants games to flip union and more people to join the union because that's what gives unions more bargaining power. The fees exist because legal protection is expensive.
Depending on the contract, NU VAs might not need to join SAG if a game flips.
bsky.app/profile/kyle...
160+ games have signed the interim, there's plenty of precedent for it especially with Infinity Nikki being developed in China and globally published in Singapore.
I think it's reasonable for VAs to demand enforceable AI protections which will determine the future existence of their careers.
My opinion:
I personally believe Jacob knew about the strike. I think Nathan Nokes is lying or was lied to when he made that statement about Jacob not knowing.
I think it's extremely disrespectful of Hoyo to replace John considering that AI protections are necessary for this career to exist.
I don't understand your question, can you clarify what you're asking?
I'm not sure what your question is asking regarding the recasted role in Genshin.
Most VAs don't familiarize themselves with the extension process or THs because that's not something they directly interact with (typically the employer files them).
Here's a conversation I had with Kyle that may answer some of your questions.
bsky.app/profile/knic...
We have numerous instances of productions flipping and afaik no one has been recasted as a result. (Marvel Rivals, Infinity Nikki, Delta Force, League of Legendss)
More from Kyle's work experience
bsky.app/profile/kyle...
bsky.app/profile/kyle...
bsky.app/profile/kyle...
SAG's bargaining partners (videogame companies like Activision, WB, Disney, etc.) have agreed to everything but the AI protections, that's why the strike is still ongoing
Over 160 games have signed the interim agreement (which includes games from Chinese companies), the terms are not unreasonable
The IMA being "shady" is founded largely from misguided speculations on how the contract works in practice.
The union security clauses have been in the contract long before the current strike.
(2011 - 2014 agreement)
www.sagaftra.org/sites/defaul...
Hoyo is not officially struck because they are not signatories to the IMA. Even if they were, their games would not be officially struck as games that started production before the strike are not officially struck (Side Letter 6).
Many VAs for Hoyo titles chose to not work for AI protections.
Do you know if all international actors on a project benefit from the same protections as US actors?
Would international actors also have the 2 hour minimum, standardized payscale, enforceable AI protections, etc?
Does this apply to actors doing voice work in a non-english language?
According to Kyle, international performers regularly work on SAG productions
bsky.app/profile/kyle...
Mihoyo's co-founder and CEO, Cai Haoyu created a company called Anuttacon that's developing a game built around AI voice + speech recognition technology.
wfts.anuttacon.com
I know zzz devs had an article about their AI usage but I don't think it was specifically AI voice
www.eurogamer.net/zenless-zone...
That being said, SAG is fighting for voice acting to be a career in the future.
There is nothing stopping from people creating digital replicas right now of their own voices with or without SAG's partnerships.
With SAG, VAs can know how their model is being used and receive proper compensation.
I think we both detest AI voices period.
The unfortunate reality is that we can't stop them from existing unless legislation bans it outright.
I hate that SAG has partnerships with AI companies. I wish SAG did not promote AI voice services at all and I think you and I can both agree on that.
I think SAG AFTRA has issues, no union is perfect, however I think the protections and benefits they provide for actors is crucial for voice acting existing as a profession.
Do you have sources or examples of SAG blacklisting companies?
One more note:
Hoyo has not signed any AI protections for Genshin, not even non-unionizing ones like the NAVA AI Rider when asked by the cast.
navavoices.org/2023/01/23/a...
This combined with Hoyo's CEO developing a game that is built around AI voice synthesizing . . .
wfts.anuttacon.com
If a company signed a non-unionizing AI protection agreement with the VAs, it would be up to the individual VAs to sue the company.
Given that these peoples' livelihoods are on the line, I think it's sensible for them to expect companies to sign the agreement with enforceable union protections.
The part about turning it into a union project is necessary because unions in the US can only protect workers under their jurisdiction.
(btw over 170 games have signed SAG's interim agreement)
If a company exploits a VA for AI on a non-union project, SAG has no legal grounds to support that VA.
If we agree that AI is such a big issue, do you not think it's better for more projects to be turning union which ensures enforceable AI protections for the VAs?
SAG is providing legally enforceable AI protections in a time where AI voices are an serious threat to the profession.
Do you have a source or example for SAG threatening members/ficore to do whatever they want?
SAG had been negotiating the IMA with its bargaining partners for almost a year before going on strike. They even had a 98.32% strike authorization vote in September 2023.
If you are of the opinion that AI voice at all is exploitation, then I can understand why you feel frustrated with SAG's agreements.
However as outlined by Kyle, SAG can't stop companies from using the technology, but they can restrict their usage and make sure it's used ethically (with consent).
I'll link you again Kyle's thread since he explains the legality of the matter
Have you read the agreements SAG has with the AI companies?
The one they have with Replica Studios for instance allows a performer to completely opt out of the model being used in future projects.
Hardly "exploitation"
SAG also can't force ficore VAs to stop working on non-union projects (we don't know who is a ficore/full member unless they disclose it).
The strike is also on the entire videogame industry, SAG is not specifically targeting Hoyoverse.
