Your favourite voice actors may be going on strike

Unionised voice actors have come together to approve a potential strike should game publishers not provide better benefits and working conditions.

Our favourite games might be significantly different if it wasn’t for the dulcet tones and vocal performances of talented voice actors. We may see what that future looks like, as the organisation which represents unionised voice actors, SAG-AFTRA, has authorised the right to declare a strike.

The union wrote that 96.52% of members [voted] in favour of the referendum." With this approval, the union's National Board now has the option to declare a strike. If this does go ahead, members will not have to work until a compromise with game publishers is reached.

SAG-AFTRA's package of proposals was put together after getting input from a number of key performers. It is seeking performance bonuses, stunt pay for vocally stressful recording sessions, stunt coordinators for performance capture sessions, and more transparency regarding roles.

A number of prominent voice actors, including Jennifer Hale (Mass Effect) and David Hayter (Metal Gear Solid) D.C. Douglas (Resident Evil), Tara Strong (Batman: Arkham City), and Wil Wheaton (Broken Age) declared their support for the strike when the vote opened a few weeks ago.

Now, the Negotiating Committee hopes to find a “fair resolution of behalf of performers working in video games” after previous bargaining sessions broke down.