SAG-AFTRA has introduced two new agreements aimed at video game developers, providing opportunities to work with union performers amid an ongoing video game strike. The Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement allow developers at various stages in their careers to collaborate with union talent.
“With these new agreements, SAG-AFTRA can help support game developers at all levels who want to work with union talent and who want to learn more about producing video games under a union contract,” stated Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator. “Plus, our members are passionate about this industry and they want to be able to participate in these types of projects where the future of video games is being shaped.”
The Student Interactive Waiver Agreement specifically targets video game course students, enabling them to work with SAG-AFTRA actors to fulfill course requirements in game development. Projects will need to be recorded within the United States, owned by the students, and must meet other requirements.
For developers active in “game jam” events, the Game Jam Waiver Agreement provides an opportunity to engage SAG-AFTRA performers, deferring fees and secondary payments unless the project generates revenue. In cases where revenue is generated, SAG-AFTRA will assist participants in signing the appropriate agreement.
These agreements join existing Tiered-Budget, Interim, and Interactive Localization agreements. More than 180 games have been signed under these previous agreements amid the strike.
Sarah Elmaleh, Chair of the SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee, expressed enthusiasm: “With their restless creativity and freedom to experiment, student projects and game jams are especially playful and rewarding opportunities for devs and actors to collaborate. I’m thrilled that these collaborations can now be accommodated on a union contract just for them, so performers get the protections they need and developers can become accustomed to union talent and process from day 1 of their career.”
Further details about the agreements can be accessed at sagaftra.org/interactive, with additional strike information available at sagaftra.org/videogamestrike.
SAG-AFTRA represents a broad array of entertainment and media professionals. More information about the organization is available at sagaftra.org.
