SAG-AFTRA has announced today that a strike will take place on October 21st if they are unable to reach an agreement with the gaming industry about a number of issues when both parties meet later this week. It's the fact that companies are unwilling to offer residual payment bonuses and other profit-sharing opportunities that seems to be the main issue, but so too is the fact that the industry has said no to proposals which would allow talent reduced recording time for "vocally stressful" sessions.
Another interesting request is that secrecy rules are altered as SAG-AFTRA says it is unfair that actors are often not even told about the projects they're working on. Those may seem like fair requests, but the gaming industry isn't have any of it, and they point out that the union represents only 25% of voice talent, adding that a strike will give their competitors a serious advantage while they're unable to work. The whole thing is pretty complicated, but a strike taking place will definitely be problematic.
Activision, Blindlight, Corps of Discovery Films, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Interactive Associates, Take-Two, VoiceWorks Production, and WB Games will all feel the impact of this strike, and while it's hard to say just how much this will affect future releases, a strike like this is never good for companies such as those listed above. Hopefully, everything will be resolved, and both parties ultimately end up happy with how things pan out.