Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1157135
W hen the arcade game Berzerk first uttered the words "Intruder Alert!" in 1980, few could have guessed that the video game business would grow to become a multibillion-dollar entertainment industry that provides significant employment opportunities for union actors. Over the years, as technology improved, games went from croaking a few robotic phrases to telling deeper and more meaningful stories, and performers became a big part of popularizing video games. "Since the 1990s, our members' performances have helped propel video games from a niche pastime to a mainstream storytelling medium to a bona fide cultural phenomenon," said National Director, Voiceover Katie Watson. "With members showing increasing interest in working in this area, we are significantly expanding our outreach and presence in the industry." As part of that effort, SAG-AFTRA has introduced two new agreements, the Low Budget Video Game Agreement and the Interactive Localization Agreement. From consoles to mobile phones to computers, there is an explosion of innovative indie games. Some of the most influential games of the past decade began with individuals or small teams taking a chance on doing something different. With the Low Budget Video Game Agreement, those developers have a valuable tool at their disposal that will allow them to incorporate professional talent into their creations. The agreement provides a lot of flexibility for games with budgets under $1.5 million, and it is one of the union's easiest to navigate. Also, staff is on hand to answer questions for those new to the process. With the depth of talent among SAG-AFTRA members, it can make it easy for developers to find the perfect actor, even when they have specific needs. "When you decide to go union, you have access to the broadest possible pool of talent, and not just in terms of acting ability, but in terms of representation and diversity," said voice ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: SAG-AFTRA'S VIDEO GAME CONTRACTS DELIVER TWO-HIT COMBO NEW GETTYIMAGES.COM