As SAG-AFTRA video game actors and major video game companies continue to negotiate a new union contract amid a year full of major labor actions, the possibility of a strike by video game actors continues to rise. But one big gaming executive isn’t worried about the possibility: the CEO of GTA 6 publisher Take-Two Interactive.
In response to an investor question on today’s Take-Two earnings call about whether GTA 6 could see delays in the event of a strike, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick seemed to think it unlikely that SAG-AFTRA video game actors would join strike like this. brothers of TV and movies. Instead, he said he thinks the talks will go well.
As he put it, “Negotiations are expected to continue next week. We are optimistic. We value our talent very much. We value the excellent relationship with the workers, and we look forward to reaching an agreement that works well for everyone.”
However, he added that “if they don’t work properly now, we are completely protected.”
What a strike could mean in GTA 6
ISAG-AFTRA film and television actors are currently on strike as they continue to push for a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The video game actors have not yet struck a video game job, but they have authorized a strike in September if union negotiators deem it necessary during negotiations. Contract negotiations have so far not resulted in an agreement, and negotiations have been stalled for several weeks.
In the event of a strike, companies including Take-Two, Activision, EA, Insomniac, and WB Games could all see potential impacts. We spoke with SAG-AFTRA representatives in September about what they’re negotiating, including protections against AI replacements, freezing pay increases to keep pace with inflation, and mandatory breaks and setting medicine for cameramen.
Zelnick’s confidence that GTA 6 will not be affected by such a strike could perhaps be taken as a hint that the game’s voice acting has already been recorded, indicating that it may be nearing the finish line. Although the long-awaited sequel to GTA 5 has been rumored for a long time, we just learned this morning that we will see its first trailer in early December. And Take-Two’s financial expectations seem to hint at a release date sometime next year.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
