A New SAG-AFTRA Independent Agreement Covers Video Game Localization

Yesterday, SAG-AFTRA introduced a new agreement for independent interactive localization. The agreement contains the same baseline terms as the Tiered Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement, but specifically addresses the localization of games originally produced in a language other than English.

As with the Tiered agreement, the Independent Interactive Localization Agreement includes AI protections. It also adds options for expanded sessions and voiceprint for “principle and atmospheric roles”. According to the announcement, the contract is built around feedback from the people actually working on these kinds of projects.

As the announcement notes, more than 130 game projects are currently in production under interim and independent agreements. This new agreement may expand upon that, provided companies wish to agree to the union’s terms. If recent history is any indication, smaller independent companies will likely take advantage of the new agreement while larger companies like Activision Blizzard, EA, WB Games, and others may continue to hold out, leaving players of their games with unvoiced content or simply delayed.