Voices of Gaming: How the SAG-AFTRA Strike Impacts Your Favorite Games

Voices have always mattered in gaming. Joel’s gravelly voice in The Last of Us conveys years of pain and survival thanks to the voice work of Troy Baker. And who can forget Jennifer Hale’s portrayal of Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect Series? These iconic voices don't just narrate; they breathe life into their characters, creating unforgettable gaming experiences. Now, envision these beloved voices going silent and being replaced by generative artificial intelligence (AI) to replicate their voices.

The gaming industry’s concerns about the unfair use of AI have led to a strike by SAG-AFTRA, short for the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which is a labor union representing approximately 160,000 media professionals worldwide. The strike isn't just a behind-the-scenes dispute; it’s a pivotal moment that could redefine the future of gaming. One of the union's primary concerns is the potential for generative AI to replace human voice actors, leading to job losses and reduced opportunities for professionals in the industry. Voice actors fear that studios and game developers might opt for AI-generated voices to cut costs, bypassing the need to pay human performers fair wages and residuals.