As video games have become increasingly reliant on plot and story rather than just game play (still pretty shallow story lines… but appropriate for the genre), the roles of actors in the gaming industry has become increasingly important. Often now, when I watch a game review television show, one of the first few things they’ll mention is the performances of the “cast”.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) has just ratified a new contract between itself and the Gaming Industry that provides another regular stream of income for the acting community. The good folks over at ABC News give us this:
The new Interactive Media Agreement, which secured higher wages and increased benefits but no residuals (i.e. profit-sharing) for the SAG members who lend their voices and likenesses to video games, was approved by 81.2% of the members who voted on the contract.
The pact with such major video game producers as Electronic Arts and Activision takes effect Friday and runs through Dec. 31, 2008. The pact was jointly negotiated with the smaller American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which approved and adopted the contract in June.
This is really a win-win situation. There is now more work available for actors our there now (especially since it doesn’t look like the video game industry is going to slow down anytime soon), and the growing industry ensures itself the best possible “performances” for their game increasing their quality. The line between Hollywood and Gaming gets even thinner.
