Lightspeed LA signs tentative agreement with SAG and AFTRA amid video game strike

Video game company Lightspeed LA has signed an interim SAG-AFTRA interactive media agreement that allows it to continue production with unionized artists even as the strike against other major video game publishers enters its sixth week.

The deal will apply to Lightspeed LA’s current and future games. The company is the creator of the game “Last Sentinel,” which is the studio’s first title to move forward under the new deal. SAG-AFTRA is on strike against Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Warner Bros. Games and other major publishers. The union is calling for tougher restrictions on the use of AI to create digital replicas of artists and their voice or likeness, as well as higher minimum wages to address the impact of inflation in recent years.

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Lightspeed LA. Their next game may be set in a world where technology has gone haywire, but by agreeing to equitable terms, they’re working to make sure the real future isn’t dystopian for artists,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Lead Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “My gratitude to Steve, the entire Lightspeed LA team, and the SAG-AFTRA members working on this project, all of whom made this collaboration possible.”

SAG-AFTRA called its video game strike on July 26. The union held a four-month strike in the film and television industry last year over similar issues of AI protections and pay increases. In 2016 and 2017, SAG-AFTRA struck 11 video game publishers for 13 months over voice acting work.

“Lightspeed LA has always recognized and valued the irreplaceable role of talent, who bring creativity, innovation and the human touch to video games. Supporting our cast is the right thing to do, and we never hesitated to consider the artist protections that underpin this agreement,” said Steve Martin, general manager of Lightspeed LA. “We want to thank Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and everyone at SAG-AFTRA for their openness and collaboration in helping to bring this agreement to fruition.”

Sarah Elmaleh, chair of the union’s Interactive Media Agreement negotiating committee, stressed that the agreement with Lightspeed LA indicates that some publishers are willing to work with the union’s terms on the table.

“This strike has always been as much about starting work with proper AI protections as it is about stopping work without them. Lightspeed LA understands how crucial these protections are for actors and delivered on an outstanding commitment not only to this cast, but to their future casts,” Elmaleh said. “They made their genuine appreciation for artists as collaborators concrete and impactful. I’m so excited about this partnership and can’t wait to see what this talented team of developers and performers accomplish together.”