9. Video game voice actors strike

Now that video game budgets are approaching those of Hollywood blockbusters, it makes sense that employing professional voice actors to provide video game character voices is the norm these days. And SAG-AFTRA, the union representing voice actors, threatened to go on strike unless their working conditions were improved. Amongst their demands, is receiving a performance bonus for every 2 million copies of a game sold and being compensated for vocally stressful sessions (all that shouting in front of a mic can’t be good).

But the union’s demands are controversial because other industry professionals like game designers and writers also contribute to a video game’s success, but won’t receive extra compensation. But still, the likes of Jennifer Hale supports the union’s demands, and she’s done stellar voice work for the seminal Star Wars RPG Knights of the Old Republic amongst others, so here’s hoping things end up well for those in the voice acting profession. Update: According to gaming website GameSpot, the voice actors have voted to strike, so let’s hope all hell does not break loose…

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Next: 10. Female video game characters and body image