The National Board of the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has approved a tentative agreement with the video game bargaining group on terms for the Interactive Media Agreement. The proposed contract will now proceed to a ratification vote by the union’s membership. Voting for the ratification of the agreement will close at 5 p.m. PDT on 9 July 2025.
If ratified, the agreement would introduce a 15.17% compounded increase to performer compensation upon ratification, followed by further 3% increases in November 2025, November 2026, and November 2027. Overtime rates for overscale performers will be adjusted to reflect a maximum based on double scale. Additionally, the health and retirement contribution rates to the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan will rise from 16.5% to 17% upon ratification and increase to 17.5% in October 2026.
The agreement also addresses concerns around the use of artificial intelligence. It includes provisions requiring informed consent for various AI-related uses and grants performers the right to suspend informed consent for digital replicas during a strike. Compensation-related gains include collectively-bargained minimums for digital replicas created under the agreement and elevated minimum rates – 7.5 times scale – for real-time generation, such as chatbots embedded in video games. “Secondary Performance Payments” have also been established to compensate performers when visual performances are reused in other video game titles.
SAG-AFTRA has also flagged safety as a focus in the agreement. New measures require a qualified medical professional to be present or readily available during rehearsals and performances that involve hazardous actions or conditions. On-camera principal performers will now receive rest periods, and employers are prohibited from requesting that performers conduct stunts or other risky activities during virtual auditions.
The tentative agreement was reached on 9 June 2025, and the ongoing strike was officially suspended on 11 June 2025. National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, acting under prior authorisation from the National Board and in consultation with the IMA Negotiating Committee, formally lifted the strike as of midday Pacific Time on 11 June. SAG-AFTRA members have been instructed to resume work on IMA productions, including promotional activities.
The full terms of the proposed three-year contract are expected to be released on 18 June 2025.
