On Nov. 21st, Final Fantasy XVI actor Ben Starr hosted the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards. While sharing his introduction speech, Starr gave a calm aggressive tone when he brought up generative AI. Throughout the show, his opinions continued, especially towards the anticipated Rockstar project, GTA VI.
Ben Starr’s Resonates With Video Games
At the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards, Starr gave an introduction speech. He informs the audience that the show has been running since 1983. Then, he jokes, “Let’s clear the elephant in the room. The question we all want the answer to. Why does the most prestigious game award look like a giant peeny?” What’s very noticeable about Starr’s speech is his passionate appreciation for the video game industry workers including actors.
He wanted to address 6 opinions before starting the awards ceremony. Number 5 was, “Unions are a good thing” and number 6 was, “Enthusiastic actors can and should be utilized as a powerful way to humanize your video games.” This is related to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strikes to form a contract for fair worker pay and needed AI protection.
Baldur’s Gate 3 actor Neil Newbon shared his opinions on the matter when he took the stage for ‘Best Supporting Voice Actor’. “These characters come in all shapes and sizes. They are the plot drivers, antagonists, sidekicks, love interests, family, and friends. These types of roles breathe life into our hero’s journey. Without them, these games would become less meaningful which is why we shouldn’t replace them with AI.”
The Latest SAG-AFTRA Update
Last Thursday, Nov. 14th, SAG-AFTRA introduced the Independent Interactive Localization Agreement. This improved version of the Tiered Budget International Localization Media Agreement offers protection from AI voice printing. The IILA will be provided to any video game produced outside English-speaking countries. It also states companies can hire performers with localization experience to assist in game script translation.
SAG-AFTRA Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland explained, “This new agreement is the next step in our strategies to increase opportunities to companies who agree to reasonable AI protections. If they agree under SAG-AFTRA member terms, then those companies those companies can benefit from the performer’s incredible work.”
TBILMA Negotiating Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh added, “Many brilliant, beloved games come to the U.S. from different countries. They need someone knowledgeable in their language for a smoother localization process.” Over 130 video game projects have signed up for the IILA to prevent generative AI from stealing their work.
Strong Tension towards GTA VI
When it was time to announce the ‘Most Wanted Game’ category winner, the nominees were all strong contenders including GTA VI. It’s been over a decade since GTA fans received a new game in the series. After GTA VI won the Golden Joystick, Starr made a snarky remark about its possible success. “If, and I mean if it has a successful launch, please remember the people who got you there,” he told Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij.
For those unaware, their parent company, Take-Two fired nearly 600 employees back in June. CEO Strauss Zelnick said to the press that generative AI will allow their developers to create what used to be impossible. Then in July, Rockstar informed gamers GTA VI is one of the game projects exempted from the SAG-AFTRA strikes. This is because the project has been in development for over a year. However, a loophole was found as Take-Two is not protected against employee unions. The actors are free to leave the project if they choose to do so.
The Actors’ War Continues
It brings me joy to see Starr and Newbon doing their part to go against generative AI. A handful of game companies have fallen into using it for cheaper and faster development. Rockstar and Electronic Arts have become the two leading game developers to use it as a tool. Yet it’s also heartbreaking to see they want to use an actor’s voice to be recreated by it. It’s good to see Starr did not hold back to jab at GTA VI where it hurt the most.
