SAG-AFTRA Strikes Against Formosa Interactive Over "League of Legends" Voiceovers

On September 24, 2024, SAG-AFTRA union actors initiated a strike against Formosa Interactive, a company providing voiceover services for the widely popular online game "League of Legends". This action comes as part of an ongoing labor dispute, with the union filing an unfair labor practice charge against the company.

"League of Legends", developed by Riot Games in 2009, has become one of the most successful multiplayer online battle arena games globally. With over 150 million registered players worldwide, the game has generated an estimated revenue of $1.75 billion in 2023 alone. Its popularity has led to the creation of music, comic books, and an animated series based on the game's universe.

The union alleges that Formosa Interactive attempted to circumvent the strike by transferring work to a shell company and seeking non-union talent. SAG-AFTRA claims this action violates performers' rights under labor laws. The union, which represents over 160,000 actors and media professionals, has been covering voice acting in video games since 2005.

Riot Games, the developer behind "League of Legends", has distanced itself from the dispute. In a statement, the company asserted that it had not suggested Formosa Interactive engage with non-union performers or cancel any previously registered game work.

This strike follows recent gains for SAG-AFTRA, including legal protections against artificial intelligence for Hollywood performers, signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this month. The union also reached a deal with major record labels such as Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment in April 2024.

The video game industry, with its global revenue exceeding $180 billion in 2023, has become a significant battleground for labor rights. Voice actors in games often perform multiple characters, contributing to the rich storytelling that has made titles like "League of Legends" so successful.

The "League of Legends" World Championship, one of the most-watched esports events, offers teams the opportunity to compete for prize pools often exceeding $2 million. This high-stakes competition underscores the game's importance in the esports ecosystem, where organizations can be valued at over $100 million.

As the strike continues, the impact on "League of Legends" and its community remains to be seen. The game, known for its free-to-play structure and team collaboration, has been praised for its accessibility and competitive depth. With over 160 playable characters, called "champions", the game relies heavily on voice acting to bring these diverse personalities to life.

The outcome of this labor dispute could have far-reaching implications for the video game industry, potentially influencing how voice actors are treated and compensated in an increasingly lucrative and competitive market.

"The complaint comes after Formosa tried to 'cancel' one of its struck video games shortly after the start of SAG-AFTRA's video game strike. When they were told that was not possible, they secretly transferred the game to a shell company and sent out casting notices for 'NON-UNION' talent only."

As the situation develops, both the gaming community and labor rights advocates will be watching closely to see how this conflict between union actors and game production companies resolves.