The gaming industry generates billions in revenue, but the voice actors who bring beloved characters to life are facing a contract crisis. From AI voice cloning for just £20 per hour to unclear terms and missing credits, performers are speaking out about exploitation that threatens their livelihoods.
The AI Contract Problem
Voice actors in the UK are being offered contracts that allow companies to use their voices for AI training in exchange for an extra £20 per hour. This seemingly small payment grants studios permission to generate unlimited content using an actor’s voice indefinitely. The issue highlights how vulnerable performers, especially those early in their careers, can be pressured into agreements that undervalue their work when they need quick cash.
The problem isn’t limited to the UK. After nearly 11 months of striking, SAG-AFTRA members in the US finally secured protections requiring written consent before studios can create digital voice or visual replicas. The agreement also mandates that performers receive compensation for AI-generated work at rates comparable to traditional in-person performances. However, many non-union actors still lack these basic protections.
What Makes Gaming Contracts So Problematic
Voice actors face several unique challenges that other entertainment professionals don’t typically encounter:
- NDAs that prevent actors from knowing which game they’re working on during auditions and recording
- Work-for-hire agreements where performers lose all rights to their performances immediately
- Unclear payment structures with no residuals or ongoing compensation
- Missing or delayed credits that prevent actors from building their portfolios
- Contracts with vague language that allow studios to use recordings beyond the agreed scope
- Pressure to perform extreme vocal work without adequate health and safety protections
The Recent Strike Victory
In July 2025, SAG-AFTRA members ratified a new contract with major video game companies including Activision, Electronic Arts, Disney, Epic Games, and Take-2. The deal passed with an overwhelming 95.04% approval rate. Key improvements include a 15.17% wage increase upon ratification, followed by additional 3% raises in 2025, 2026, and 2027. The contract also increased retirement fund contributions from 16.5% to 17%, eventually reaching 17.5% by October 2026.
Most importantly, the agreement established clear AI protections. Studios must now obtain written consent before creating digital replicas and compensate performers fairly when using those replicas. This sets a precedent for the entertainment industry as a whole, though critics argue the strike may have incentivized companies to look for non-US voice actors as alternatives.
Why Non-Union Actors Remain Vulnerable
While union members now have stronger protections, non-union voice actors still face significant risks. They often lack the bargaining power to negotiate fair terms and may feel pressured to accept unfavorable contracts to avoid being blacklisted. The industry’s lack of transparency around pay scales makes it difficult for performers to know if they’re being compensated fairly. Budget cuts frequently lead to reduced pay without corresponding reductions in workload, and casting decisions sometimes prioritize personal relationships or celebrity status over talent and suitability for roles.
| Contract Issue | Union Protected | Non-Union |
|---|---|---|
| AI Voice Cloning | Requires written consent and compensation | Often no protection or minimal payment |
| Wage Increases | 15.17% increase plus annual raises | No guaranteed increases |
| Contract Clarity | Standardized terms and protections | Varies widely, often unclear |
| Retirement Benefits | 17-17.5% fund contributions | Typically none |
The Bigger Picture
The contract issues facing game voice actors reflect broader tensions in the entertainment industry as AI technology advances. Studios argue they need flexibility to remain competitive and innovative. Performers counter that their voices and likenesses are their primary assets, and losing control over how they’re used threatens their entire careers. The gaming industry’s opacity around budgets and payment structures makes it especially difficult for actors to advocate for themselves compared to film or television work.
Looking forward, the SAG-AFTRA agreement may serve as a template for other creative industries grappling with similar AI concerns. However, the global nature of game development means that protections in one country don’t necessarily extend elsewhere. UK performers, for example, continue to face exploitative contracts despite progress made by their US counterparts.
FAQs
How much are voice actors paid for AI voice training?
Some UK contracts offer as little as £20 per hour extra for actors to allow their voices to be used in AI training, which grants studios unlimited future use. Union contracts in the US now require fair compensation comparable to traditional performance rates, but non-union actors often receive minimal or no ongoing payment.
What protections do SAG-AFTRA members have against AI exploitation?
The 2025 SAG-AFTRA contract requires studios to obtain written consent before creating digital voice or visual replicas and to compensate performers at rates similar to traditional work whenever those replicas are used. These protections only apply to union members working under the Interactive Media Agreement.
Why don’t voice actors know which game they’re working on?
Studios often use NDAs to keep game projects secret during development. This means actors audition and record without knowing the game title, franchise, or even their character’s role, making it impossible to properly prepare or negotiate based on the project’s scope and budget.
Can game studios use voice recordings beyond the original contract?
Without clear contract language limiting usage rights, studios may use recordings beyond the agreed scope. Work-for-hire agreements often grant companies full ownership of performances, allowing them to edit, repurpose, or distribute recordings without additional compensation. Union contracts now include clearer limitations on usage.
What challenges do non-union voice actors face?
Non-union actors typically lack standardized pay scales, AI protections, retirement benefits, and clear contract terms. They have less bargaining power and may feel pressured to accept unfavorable terms to avoid being blacklisted. Budget cuts often affect them more severely than union performers.
How long did the recent video game voice actor strike last?
The SAG-AFTRA video game strike lasted nearly 11 months, from July 2024 to July 2025. Members voted to ratify the new contract with 95.04% approval, ending one of the longest strikes in gaming industry history.
What improvements did the 2025 SAG-AFTRA contract bring?
The contract included a 15.17% immediate wage increase plus 3% annual raises through 2027, increased retirement contributions, AI protections requiring consent and compensation for digital replicas, and improved health and safety measures for performers doing demanding vocal work.
Conclusion
The battle over voice acting contracts in the gaming industry represents a critical moment for performers’ rights in the age of AI. While union members have secured important protections through collective bargaining, many actors remain vulnerable to exploitation. The £20-per-hour AI training contracts circulating in the UK demonstrate how easily performers can be undervalued when they lack negotiating power. As gaming continues to grow as an entertainment medium, the industry must develop sustainable, ethical practices that fairly compensate the talent who help create immersive experiences. The recent SAG-AFTRA agreement provides a roadmap, but true change requires industry-wide commitment to transparency, fair pay, and respect for performers’ rights to control their own voices and likenesses.