Riot Games' "League of Legends" Embroiled in SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike

In a surprising turn of events, Riot Games' massively popular multiplayer online role-playing game "League of Legends" has been added to the list of blocked titles by the SAG-AFTRA union amid allegations of unfair labor practices against Formosa Interactive, a union signatory that provides voiceover services for the game.

Uncovering the Controversy: Riot Games and the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike

Formosa Interactive Accused of Unfair Labor Practices

According to SAG-AFTRA, Formosa Interactive, a union signatory, is accused of attempting to "cancel" one of its struck video games "shortly after the start of SAG-AFTRA's video game strike" on July 26. The union has filed a charge against the company with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Formosa secretly transferred the game to a "shell company" and sent out casting notices for "NON-UNION" talent only, in a blatant violation of labor laws.

The Ongoing Video Game Actors Strike

The video game actors strike, which has protections against generative A.I. as its main sticking point, is being handled on a title-by-title basis, unlike the previous SAG-AFTRA strike against Hollywood studios, which was organized by company. Several games are exempt from the strike, mostly those that were in production prior to fall 2023, when the last contract was extended between the actors' union and the video game publishers.

The Bargaining Committee and Accountability

The video game companies included in the bargaining committee for the strike are Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc., VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc. SAG-AFTRA's national executive director and chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, has stated that Formosa's actions are "beyond the pale" and that the company will be held accountable, starting with an immediate strike of "League of Legends."

The Importance of Protecting Performers' Rights

Interactive Media Agreement negotiating committee chair Sarah Elmaleh expressed disappointment in Formosa's actions, stating that the company has chosen to "evade and abandon" the union performers who bring their talent and experience to beloved characters in "League of Legends." Elmaleh emphasized the importance of protecting performers' rights and the union's collaborative approach to working with game makers, highlighting the mutual love for the craft.

The Potential Impact on "League of Legends"

The addition of "League of Legends" to the list of blocked titles by SAG-AFTRA could have significant implications for the game and its development. With the union's accusation of unfair labor practices against Formosa Interactive, the future of the game's voice acting and the well-being of the performers involved remains uncertain. As the video game actors strike continues, the industry and players alike await the resolution of this complex and high-stakes situation.