AI in Gaming: Motion Capture Actors Fear Job Losses as SAG-AFTRA Strike Highlights Industry Concerns
Motion Capture Performers Voice Concerns Over AI in Video Game Industry
As the video game industry continues to evolve, motion capture performers are raising alarms about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their profession. Noshir Dalal, a veteran motion capture actor, has become a vocal advocate for equal protection for video game performers against unregulated AI use.
Dalal, who has experienced physical strain and injury from repeated motion capture work, fears that AI could reduce job opportunities by replicating performances without consent. This concern is echoed by many in the industry, leading to the ongoing Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike.
The use of AI in video game production has raised ethical questions about the treatment of performers’ work as “data” and the potential for AI to displace less-experienced actors from smaller roles. Transparency and fair compensation for AI use have become key issues in the ongoing negotiations between unions and video game producers.
Motion capture technology, which tracks performers’ movements to create realistic animations, is now being combined with AI to generate new animations from past recordings. This development has sparked fears that studios could use archived data to create new characters without involving performers.
In response to these concerns, video game producers have offered “meaningful” AI protections, including proposals for consent and fair compensation for AI use. However, disagreements persist over the definition of a “performer” and the extent of these protections.
The impact of AI on the video game industry extends beyond motion capture. A recent report by Newzoo highlights the potential for AI-generated voices to reduce opportunities for voice actors, drawing comparisons to the use of celebrity voice actors in high-profile games.
Actors like Ben Prendergast argue that AI-generated performances lack the nuanced choices that human performers bring to their roles. There are also concerns about the loss of control over personal data and the need to protect performers’ rights over their likeness, voice, and body.
As negotiations continue, the future of AI in video game production remains uncertain. Both sides are working towards an agreement that balances technological advancement with fair treatment of performers, highlighting the complex challenges facing the industry in the age of AI.
