Videogame Actors Picketing EA After Failing to Choose Wording of New Deal!?

More that 250 people have started to demonstrate a peaceful protest outside of the EA office in Playa Vista, California. The protest from SAG-AFTRA, a US-based union which represents video game voice actors and mocap performers, is targeting game publishers with this action, but reports suggest that the whole thing could have been avoided. The publishers they’re protesting against claim an agreement was reached, but the union took action over a matter of semantics.

It seems the actors wanted extra money based on a games performance, much like a TV actor would receive payment for successful shows and repeats. Both parties agreed on the money, and how it would be compensated, but seemingly locked heads on the terminology. Publishers offered “additional compensation” and the union countered with calling it “residuals buyout.” With an agreed system in place, it seems crazy to protest anyway, but this is a huge deal for the union and would mark the first time video game performers could claim residuals, ever.

Scott Witlin, the chief negotiator for the publishers, said “It would be unfortunate for SAG-AFTRA to take its members out on strike over terminology and not money… we urged union leaders to put the package to a vote of their membership, but union leaders refused.”