SAG-AFTRA Strike Hits League of Legends: Key Implications in Esports

The Impact of the SAG-AFTRA Strike on League of Legends

The recent announcement from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) indicates that the esports community is encountering significant turbulence as League of Legends is now classified as a struck game. Voice actors associated with this iconic title, developed by Riot Games, must cease their work. This development arises amidst escalating tensions surrounding labor practices within the gaming industry.

Details of the Labor Dispute

Over 2,500 video game performers initiated a strike in July after prolonged negotiations with major companies. While artificial intelligence protections are heavily cited in broader discussions, the issues concerning League of Legends are distinct. SAG-AFTRA claims that Formosa Interactive, a sound company, attempted to circumvent ongoing negotiations by attempting to reassign union work to a non-union entity. This strategy is viewed as a potential infringement of labor laws, challenging performers' rights.

What This Means for League of Legends

• League of Legends is a live service game that may face delays in new content and updates.
• Ongoing production schedules are unlikely to see immediate disruption.
• Future character voice lines and cinematic releases could be impacted by the strike.

Despite the complexity of the situation, Riot Games has stated that they are committed to using union talent for voice work. They emphasized their cooperative stance toward union performers throughout their operations. As the League of Legends World Championship 2024 approaches, uncertainty looms over potential union involvement, even though voice actors are seldom featured during these esports events.