Tencent’s Lightspeed LA studio signs SAG-AFTRA deal to work with striking members

Tencent’s Lightspeed LA studio has signed a deal with SAG-AFTRA enabling the developer to employ the group's members to work on its games amid the organisation’s strike action.

The body, which represents 160,000 members, including actors. recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists, influencers and other entertainment and media professionals, announced games industry strike action in July earlier this year.

The organisation had been negotiating with a bargaining group that included Activision Productions, Electronic Arts Productions, Insomniac Games and Take 2 Productions, among others. Talks collapsed over critical AI protections SAG-AFTRA had demanded for performers, and members have been on strike since.

Lightspeed LA has now signed a deal to produce games under the SAG-AFTRA Interim Interactive Media agreement, which offers those AI protections it asked for. The deal covers current and future games from the studio, including the upcoming Last Sentinel.

"Human touch"

“Lightspeed LA has always recognised and valued the irreplaceable role of talent, which injects creativity, innovation, and the human touch into video games,” said Lightspeed LA GM Steve Martin.
 
“Supporting our cast is the right thing to do and there was never any hesitation to consider the performer protections that anchor this agreement."

Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee chair Sarah Elmaleh added: “This strike has always been as much about the start of work with proper AI protections as it is stopping work without them. 

"Lightspeed LA understands how crucial these protections are to the actors, and followed through with an outstanding commitment not only to this cast, but their future casts."