If you’re developing a video game and want to hire professional voice actors or performance capture artists, you need to understand SAG-AFTRA’s Interactive Media Agreement (IMA).
These agreements govern how you work with union talent, what you pay them, and critically important in 2025 – how you can (and cannot) use AI with their performances.
In this post, I’ll break down everything you need to know about working with SAG-AFTRA talent in your video game projects.
First – get all of my FREE video game law eBooks by signing up below!
What is SAG-AFTRA and Why Should Game Developers Care?
SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) represents approximately 160,000 entertainment professionals, including the voice actors and performance capture artists who bring video game characters to life.
If you want to hire union talent for your game, you must sign an IMA and follow its terms. This isn’t optional – it’s a requirement for working with any union member.
The benefits? You get access to experienced, professional performers who can elevate your game’s production value significantly.
The 2025 IMA: Major Updates
In July 2025, union members ratified a new IMA with major video game companies including Activision, EA, Disney, Take-Two, and others. The vote passed overwhelmingly at 95.04%, ending an 11-month strike.
This new agreement brings substantial improvements for performers and important considerations for developers:
The 2025 agreement provides significant wage increases:
- 15.17% compounded increase upon ratification
- Additional 3% increases in November 2025, 2026, and 2027
- Overtime rates for overscale performers now based on double scale
- Health and retirement contribution rates increased from 16.5% to 17%, rising to 17.5% in October 2026
The biggest news in the 2025 agreement involves artificial intelligence. These provisions represent some of the first comprehensive AI protections for performers in any industry:
Consent and Disclosure Requirements
- Developers must obtain informed consent for all intended uses of a performer’s voice, likeness, and movements
- You must provide a “reasonably specific description” of how any digital replica will be used
Performer Rights
- Performers can suspend consent for generating new material during a strike
- Performers are compensated separately for the time spent creating digital replicas (scanning, voice data collection)
Real-Time Generation and Generative AI
- If you use digital replicas for “Real-Time Generation” (like an AI-powered chatbot character), performers receive significantly higher minimum compensation
- For Generative AI use, you must inform the union, receive performer consent, and pay at least scale minimum compensation
The Two Main Agreements: Which One Do You Need?
There are two primary union agreements for video game developers:
1. The Standard IMA
This is the main agreement used by larger studios and publishers. It provides comprehensive coverage for all types of video game performance work and sets the baseline standards for compensation and working conditions.
2. The Tiered-Budget Independent IMA (TBIIMA)
This agreement was specifically designed for indie developers working with lower budgets. It offers flexibility while maintaining core protections for performers.
The TBIIMA applies to projects with total production budgets between $250,000 and less than $30 million, divided into four tiers:
- Tier 1: $250,000 to less than $1 million
- Tier 2: $1 million to less than $5 million
- Tier 3: $5 million to less than $15 million
- Tier 4: $15 million to less than $30 million
Understanding the Tiered-Budget Agreement for Indie Developers
If you’re an indie developer, the TBIIMA is likely your best option. Here’s what makes it different:
Scaled Compensation Structure
Minimum session fees are adjusted based on your project’s budget tier:
- Tier 1: 33% of full scale
- Tier 2: 50% of full scale
- Tier 3: 65% of full scale
- Tier 4: 80% of full scale
The number of voice prints (different character voices) you can record in a session varies by tier:
- Tier 1: Unlimited voice prints in a 4-hour session
- Tier 2: 12 voice prints per session
- Tiers 3 and 4: 3 voice prints (4-hour session) or 6-10 (6-hour session)
Deferred Compensation Model
Instead of the standard IMA’s additional compensation structure, the TBIIMA uses a secondary/deferred compensation model. This is capped at two payments and scales with your budget tier:
- Tier 1: 100% of full scale
- Tier 2: 75% of full scale
- Tiers 3 and 4: 50% of full scale
You can prepay this compensation at a 25% reduction if you prefer.
Voice Acting vs. Performance Capture: What’s Different?
Both voice acting and performance capture work are covered under the union agreements, but they have distinct requirements:
Voice acting sessions have specific minimum rates and timing structures. While exact 2025 rates are still being finalized, the 2020 IMA showed rates around $956.75 for a 4-hour off-camera session.
Vocally Stressful Sessions are a special category that includes:
- Prolonged yelling or screaming
- Fighting sounds and creature voices
- Extensive whispering
- Other work that risks voice damage
Under the TBIIMA, vocally stressful sessions are capped at two hours rather than the standard four or six hours.
Performance capture and motion capture work require separate minimum rates for on-camera sessions. The standard IMA provides for 8-hour on-camera session rates.
Overtime Structure:
- 9th and 10th hours: Time-and-a-half
- 11th hour and beyond: Double time
Physically Stressful Sessions include:
- Excessive repetition of running, jumping, or climbing
- Activities requiring special training (falls, wirework, impacts)
These sessions require advance disclosure to performers and medical professionals should be present or readily available.
The 2025 IMA introduces a “Secondary Performance Payment” – a one-time payment required when you reuse a performer’s covered movement or facial performance in a subsequent game for visual performance.
Essential Requirements Before You Start
Before any performer can work on your project, you must complete several steps:
1. Sign the Letter of Adherence
You must sign this letter committing to all provisions of the relevant agreement before work begins.
2. Provide Performer Contracts
Companies must provide performers with a completed “Performer Contract/Member Report” prior to or on the first date of engagement. A fully executed copy must go to both the performer and the union representative.
3. Required Disclosures
Before booking talent, you must disclose:
- Whether the work will be vocally or physically stressful
- The length and size of the role
- Whether content involves sexual material, violence, or racial slurs
- Any use of digital replicas or AI
4. Payment Timing
Payments to performers are due no later than 12 business days after services are rendered. Late fees accrue for untimely payments.
5. Health and Retirement Contributions
You must contribute to the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan and AFTRA Retirement Fund at a rate of 17% of gross compensation (increasing to 17.5% in October 2026).
6. Additional Health and Safety Requirements
The IMA agreements include important health and safety provisions:
- For hazardous actions or working conditions, a qualified medical professional must be present or readily available
- Rest periods must be provided for principal performers
- Companies cannot request performers to complete stunts or dangerous activities in virtual auditions
- Call sheets (if used) must be delivered the day before performance
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Non-compliance with SAG-AFTRA agreements can result in serious consequences:
- Reclassification of your project to a higher tier or full IMA rates
- Requirement to retroactively pay performers the difference
- Cessation of use of performances and digital replicas until payments are made
All disputes related to these agreements are subject to resolution via arbitration procedures, though injunctive relief may be sought in cases of reclassification.
Best Practices for Working with SAG-AFTRA Talent
Successfully navigating SAG-AFTRA agreements requires a proactive approach:
Before Production
- Understand which agreement applies to your project
- Budget appropriately for union scale rates and contributions
- Plan for disclosure requirements during casting
During Production
- Follow all timing and break requirements
- Keep accurate records of hours worked and compensation
- Have medical professionals available for stressful sessions
After Production
- Track secondary compensation triggers
- Protect performer data and digital replicas
- Notify SAG-AFTRA of final game title upon release
For AI Use
- Document all consent
- Maintain detailed records of intended uses
- Inform SAG-AFTRA before using generative AI
The Bottom Line
Working with SAG-AFTRA talent can significantly elevate your game’s quality and production value. The agreements might seem complex at first, but they’re designed to ensure fair treatment for performers while giving you access to professional talent.
For indie developers, the Tiered-Budget Agreement makes union talent more accessible than ever. For larger studios, the standard IMA provides comprehensive coverage with clear expectations.
If you’re serious about creating quality games with professional actors, taking the time to understand and comply with these agreements is worth the investment.
If you have questions about SAG-AFTRA agreements or need assistance with your project, feel free to reach out. Contact me to discuss your specific situation and ensure you’re on the right track.
