SAG-AFTRA introduces new agreements allowing members to collaborate with students and participate in game jams

The union SAG-AFTRA, representing 160,000 industry professionals such as actors and voiceover artists, has introduced two fresh agreements allowing collaboration with students and game jam participants.

The initiatives, named the Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement, are designed to enable video game developers at all career levels to engage union performers during the ongoing video game strike.

The Student Interactive Waiver is directed at students enrolled in video game courses at accredited U.S. institutions, allowing them to work with SAG-AFTRA talent to fulfill academic projects entirely conducted in the U.S.

Meanwhile, the Game Jam Waiver is tailored for developers involved in game jams, permitting the use of union performers with deferred session fees and secondary payments, given the projects are non-revenue generating and materials are created post-event start.

SAG-AFTRA stated that if a game jam project does create revenue, the union will collaborate with participants to align the project with an appropriate agreement.

"These agreements are structured to support developers aspiring to collaborate with union talent and to gain insights into producing under union protocols," stated Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator.

He emphasized the members’ enthusiasm for video game industry involvement, noting their interest in contributing to projects shaping the future of gaming.

In late July, SAG-AFTRA members approved a strike due to unresolved discussions surrounding AI technology-related rights and protection issues with the conveyance bargaining group.

Recently, SAG-AFTRA provided a strike update, acknowledging continued wide gaps in negotiations with major game studios and publishers. This followed reports that two voice actors from Zenless Zone Zero were replaced due to their involvement in the strike.