The creation of newer games increasingly relies on motion capture from video game actors to ensure the characters and their actions are more realistic. However, video game actors are worried—even disgusted—that explicit scenes are often not disclosed.
In a post by BBC, technology reporter Chris Vallance said that performers are often asked to work on explicit content without prior notice. One video game actor, in particular, was asked to do a scene involving sexual assault and found it disgusting.
In many modern games, video game actors are filmed and digitized into video game characters. Some video game actors told BBC there is a culture of secrecy in video games where scripts are often only shared at the last moment. Thus, the actors rarely have a clue of what they are going into.
Equity, the performing arts union in the United Kingdom is demanding action from the industry. The organization has published a guide for both video game companies and video game actors which covers everything from Artificial Intelligence, Welfare, Vocal Safety, Explicit Content, and so on.
“An industry valued at £7.82bn and that is in receipt of tax relief must recognize the value that its workforce brings to the games industry,” said Shannon Sailing, Equity’s Industrial Official for Audio and Video Games. “Our members are no longer going to sit back and accept low rates of pay, unsafe working environments and poor terms and conditions.”
In addition to demanding a better pay package and working environment for video game actors, the organization’s explicit content guide listed several points that video game actors are entitled to know before they start filming. The explicit content guide includes:
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A full summary and outline of the story, scene breakdown and scripts (where possible) should be distributed to all cast members ahead of shooting or recording.
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Any explicit scenes with explicit language or content should be flagged up to a performer before recording
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A safe line of communication should be in place between talent and production should the performer have any concerns or questions about content
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Any and all sensitive content should be flagged as early in the process as possible by producers to cast members and their representatives
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When recording any scenes of an explicit nature or intimate scenes, performers should be able to request a closed set
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A competent intimacy coordinator should be engaged to oversee any scenes of an intimate nature.
The case of Jessica Jefferies, a previous video game actor
Professional casting director, Jessica Jefferies, said while working as a motion capture performer dressed in a skin-tight body suit covered in markers, developers often left them in the dark about the nature of the game or the scenes.
“We’d get an email or a call from a studio saying we need you on these days for a shoot,” Jefferies said. “That was all the information we’d get.”
Video game developers can argue that the less information video game actors have, the less likely they are to deal with leaked content. However, that reasoning is selfish in that it doesn’t consider how some scenes (explicit and violent) may negatively impact an actor’s mental health.
Jefferies’ concern about the paucity of information shared with video game actors was corroborated by another actor who spoke to the BBC on the condition of anonymity. “We have to sign NDAs [non-disclosure agreements], we’re told almost nothing,” said the video game actor. “
Equity also highlighted how video game developers often abuse NDA to keep video game actors in the dark or gag them from speaking up about the poor acting conditions they are often subjected to. In the guideline published by Equity, the organization listed the dos and don’ts of NDA as follows:
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NDAs must be straightforward, clear and concise
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NDAs must not contain fees, usage and contractual terms and conditions
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NDAs must not contain any additional, unusual clauses such as the assignment of rights, exclusivity, or gagging clauses
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NDAs must not stop actors from talking to their agents about the role
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NDAs must not require actors to inform clients if they notice someone else breaking their NDA, even if they didn’t get the role
Doing right by video game actors
Larian Studios, the developers of Baldur’s Gate 3 has been fingered as one of the studios doing right by video game actors when explicit scenes were involved. Larian Studios employed intimacy coordinators whose jobs were ensuring the well-being of performers acting out explicit scenes.
One intimacy coordinator looked after performers voicing intimate scenes while another was in charge of those filming with motion capture to be digitized. This is a clear example of a studio that values its performers—and is worthy of emulation.
Video game actors are increasingly concerned about the use of AI in video game development. This was one of the burning issues that forced the United States performer’s union SAG-AFTRA to announce a strike last month.
Considering the massive number of video game leaks that we often have to go through in almost every video game development cycle, do you think developers are justified in what they disclose to video game actors and when? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
