The popular online multiplayer video game League of Legends is facing a strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) due to a dispute with audio company Formosa Interactive. The union alleges that Formosa attempted to evade the ongoing video game strike by hiring nonunion actors for an unrelated title and engaging in unfair labor practices.
SAG-AFTRA has accused Formosa of interfering with performers’ rights to join a union and discriminating against them. Despite the allegations, Formosa has denied any wrongdoing and stated that the strike against League of Legends is not appropriate, as the game is unrelated to the union’s claims.
The strike comes at a time when the video game industry is facing challenges such as softer demand and a tougher supply-side environment. Joost van Dreunen, author of “One Up: Creativity, Competition, and the Global Business of Video Games,” highlights the risks faced by game publishers when outsourcing work to firms like Formosa, especially if ethical standards are not met.
Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, has stated that the company is not involved in the dispute and has always supported the use of union performers. The union has instructed its members to stop providing services to League of Legends, which was previously unstruck until now.
The strike against major game companies, including Formosa, was called by SAG-AFTRA in July after failed negotiations surrounding the use of unregulated artificial intelligence in the interactive media agreement. The union is committed to championing the rights of union performers in the gaming industry and ensuring fair working conditions for all.
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