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Video game actors speak out after union announces AI voice deal (www.videogameschronicle.com)

submitted 11 months ago by inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world

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According to SAG AFTRA, the deal will “enable Replica to engage SAG-AFTRA members under a fair, ethical agreement to safely create and license a digital replica of their voice. Licensed voices can be used in video game development and other interactive media projects from pre-production to final release.”

The deal reportedly includes minimum terms and the requirement for performers’ consent to use their voice for AI.

However, several prominent video game voice actors were quick to respond on X, specifically to a portion of the statement which claims the deal was approved by “affected members of the union’s voiceover performer community.”

Apex Legends voice actor Erika Ishii wrote: “Approved by… WHO exactly?? Was any one of the ‘affected members’ who signed off on this a working voice actor?”

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[-] Stamets@lemmy.world 113 points 11 months ago

This is the one career I wanted to do something in. I started voice acting years ago.

Honestly just seems so pointless lately. Half the time voice over artists are not even recognized or even paid a decent amount. Now they wanna just copy and paste our voice.

I'm tired.

[-] Pistcow@lemm.ee 73 points 11 months ago

Even the recognized ones don't get paid well. Weird that SAG would sign off on this so easily when SAG actors and writers striked for months with AI being a big part of the issue.

[-] Stamets@lemmy.world 62 points 11 months ago

Because voice actors are not considered real actors by SAG-AFTRA. Despite the fact that doing voice over work is typically far more grueling than being in front of a camera. I've never met a VOA who wasn't looked down on by other SAG members. Even by fucking extras. "You just stand in a booth and read lines."

[-] Sanctus@lemmy.world 39 points 11 months ago

Guarantee none of them have experienced being on your 10th take in the booth, with the previous line fed to you by the Audio Engineer through your cans, and the next line is whatever comes next alphabetically. Its just as valid as any other form of acting. People on a high horse because of their job is the most asinine shit. Its all work.

[-] Stamets@lemmy.world 17 points 11 months ago

It's why I love actors who've done voice over work. Like most of the Star Trek cast has in one form or another, whether thats for Star Trek Online or another game entirely. All of them saying that it was mind numbing work and it drained them but that they now have enormous respect for people who do that.

While most people look at Critical Role and just go "oh it's easy!" as if you aren't spending 4 hours doing exertion noises for climbing fucking stairs.

[-] Pistcow@lemm.ee 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Question, what do conventional actors fall under when they voice for something like a Disney or Pixar movie? What would be the protections from using Seinfield's voice if he did a new Bee movie? Or are they protected by SAG Actor and its just the nerd VOs that are fucked?

Couldn't imagine an A-lister ever voicing a AAA game if they fell under those rules.

[-] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 16 points 11 months ago

I've done voice acting before, and honestly, you're right on the money.
So many people don't even notice if the voice work in a piece of media is good/bad.
Playing one game, several of the main characters sound like they were recorded in completely different rooms.
And I'm sat here like a mug with a deadened setup, wondering why I bothered.

When that little detail is paid, I can see games absolutely jumping on the machine generated bandwagon.

[-] Stamets@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago

I've been trying to figure out a deadened set up for a while. My closet isn't big enough as a gay man, no. I'm not going back in. I need one of those lil curtain thingies that create a dead space.

But yeah I agree. Resident Evil 4 killed me for that. So many of the characters sounded amazing and then Ada just stuck out like a sore thumb. I don't mean because of a poor performance or anything either. I wasn't totally happy with it but I blame the game director for that, not her for doing what they asked of her. But everyone else was done in a professional set up and her quality is NOTICABLE different. It fucked up the entire DLC for me and I haven't been able to really enjoy it.

Doing voice acting and then hearing all the ways people mess up in stuff is astounding. Not that I don't, mind you. I'm not perfect. But my god do you notice all the major errors in every game out there once you start working a bit in the field.

[-] samus12345@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

Wish there were a way for you to post examples without doxxing yourself. Ah well!

[-] Stamets@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

I occasionally record readings and narrations of dumb things on Mastodon but they're usually just super quick. Like so quick that I don't even bother fucking with noise reduction or anything. Just get bored and go "I LIEK THIS POEM"