“Thank f**k holy s**t”: GTA 6 Seemingly Undeterred by Video Game Strike by SAG-AFTRA
GTA 6 continues to progress toward its release date, despite an unfortunate situation leading to a strike by SAG-AFTRA artists.
Rockstar Games can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to the upcoming release of its flagship title GTA 6. A recent decision by the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Actors (SAG-AFTRA) to go on strike on account of failed negotiations to protect its workers from AI-related issues will not affect development of the new game.
While many players support the need for voice actors and motion performers to have fair wages and benefits over the course of their work, a delay in one of the most anticipated games could have potentially made them switch sides – something that SAG-AFTRA is sure to have considered.
GTA 6 Escapes Strike-Related Delays
In consideration of the fact that GTA 6 has been in production well before September 2023 – a significant detail as the strike affects all games after that time – current members of the union who are engaged with the project get to continue their work without fear of repercussions from SAG-AFTRA.
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The news is sure to be a breath of fresh air for Rockstar Games, whose parent company Take-Two is among the publishers currently under SAG-AFTRA’s scanner. It is also very welcome news for GTA fans who have waited for a new addition to the franchise after GTA 5‘s 2013 release took the gaming community by storm with its well-implemented story and breathtaking open world.
A Strategic Approach by SAG-AFTRA
While SAG-AFTRA’s stance on protecting its workers from the unauthorized, undeclared reproduction of their work using AI without adequate compensation being offered is certainly relevant at a time when artists are becoming increasingly wary of technology that could take over their work, its decision to avoid impacting several anticipated titles – GTA 6 among them – may be more than a gesture of goodwill.
Player reactions to the game’s exemption from the strike showcase the potential backlash that SAG-AFTRA may have cleverly avoided by setting its timelines to September 2023.
One player’s reaction is a succinct and refreshingly honest take on the entire situation.
Another player expressed support for the affected workers in response – a sentiment that may not have been possible if GTA 6 was among the titles affected by the strike considering how eager its fans have been for its release on a multitude of platforms.
Another player also expressed their support for the strike, pointing out unfair practices among companies with regard to how they treat their writers and artists.
Other responses were more humorous, bringing a much-needed note of levity to a serious conversation.
While it is indeed unfortunate that many in the gaming industry are badly affected by unfair practices by some of its major players that a strike is required in the first place, SAG-AFTRA’s move might be a step in the right direction toward a resolution that is mutually acceptable to both sides of this unfortunate situation.
Until then, GTA 6 fans can hope that it’s smooth sailing from here to the game’s final release that they have waited a long time for.
