Actors' Union Strikes Back: "League of Legends" Caught in the Crossfire

In a bold move, the SAG-AFTRA performers' union has added the popular video game "League of Legends" to its list of struck titles, escalating its ongoing battle with audio company Formosa Interactive. The union alleges that Formosa has violated the terms of the strike by recruiting non-union talent to work on one of the struck games, a move that the union claims is an attempt to "subvert the video game strike."

Actors Demand Fair AI Terms, Formosa Accused of Unfair Labor Practices

Striking for Better AI Terms

The video game industry has been embroiled in a strike by roughly 2,600 performers who provide voice-over and motion-capture work. The strike, which began in July, was sparked by the union's inability to reach an agreement with video game developers on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry."It's bad enough that Formosa and other companies are refusing to agree to the fair A.I. terms that have been agreed to by the film, television, streaming, and music industries, as well as more than 90 other game developers," said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the chief negotiator and national executive director of SAG-AFTRA.The union's stance is clear: they want to ensure that the use of AI in video game production is subject to the same fair terms that have been established in other entertainment sectors. This is a crucial issue for the performers, who are concerned about the potential impact of AI on their livelihoods.

Formosa Interactive Accused of Unfair Labor Practices

The latest development in the strike is the union's decision to un-exempt "League of Legends" from the walkout. This move comes after SAG-AFTRA filed unfair labor practice charges against Formosa Interactive with the National Labor Relations Board.The union alleges that Formosa, which counts "League of Legends" among its most popular projects, has attempted to "subvert the video game strike" by recruiting non-union talent to work on one of the struck titles. The union claims that Formosa has been operating under the guise of a shell company, a tactic that the union says is "beyond the pale" and will not be tolerated."Formosa will be held accountable, starting with an immediate strike of League of Legends," Crabtree-Ireland warned, underscoring the union's determination to hold the audio company responsible for its alleged unfair labor practices.

The Broader Implications of the Strike

The ongoing strike in the video game industry has far-reaching implications. It highlights the growing tension between performers and the companies that employ them, particularly when it comes to the use of emerging technologies like AI.The union's decision to add "League of Legends" to the list of struck titles is a significant escalation in the conflict, as it targets one of the most popular and influential video games in the industry. This move sends a clear message to Formosa Interactive and other companies that the union is willing to take drastic measures to protect the rights and interests of its members.As the strike continues, the industry will be closely watching to see how the situation unfolds. The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching consequences for the relationship between performers and video game companies, as well as the broader landscape of the entertainment industry.