UK actors' union Equity introduces minimum rates to tackle 'systemic low pay' for video game artists

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Equity, the UK actors' union, has introduced new minimum wages in a bid to tackle “systemic low pay” for performers and improve working conditions in the industry.

In the UK, actors' salaries have not only remained stagnant below inflation rates, but have also been significantly lower than in America and Canada, despite working with the same game developers.

The new rates are aimed exclusively at AAA game development, rather than independent developers. They are also minimum rates as a starting point for negotiation.

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Equity had previously not set minimum rates due to previous legislation that prevented rates from being published without a collective bargaining agreement. Now, Equity is launching its new rates as part of its Game On! campaign to fight for better pay, terms and conditions for UK video game artists.

The rates were set by Equity's Video Game Working Party, made up of Equity members and outside consultants, including voice actors David Menkin (Final Fantasy 16), Laurence Bouvard (Perfect Dark Zero), Rebecca Yeo (Wuthering Waves) and Alan Turkington (Still Wakes The Deep).

Their collective statement reads: “After 18 months of hard work, Equity's Video Game Working Party is proud to launch these recommended minimum wages and best practice guidelines for video games; the first of their kind in this area. This is an unprecedented step in the right direction for game industry enforcers, where the union has previously been held back by restrictive legislation and unable to publish such guidelines.

“Our goal is to ensure fair pay and good working conditions for the artists who have trained for years to develop the skills they use to bring games to life. We call on Equity members to demand these minimum standards and invite studios and developers to work with us on collective agreements that protect everyone and ensure the UK games industry continues to thrive.”

The tariffs are the result of an ongoing strike by the U.S. actors' union SAG-AFTRA over the threat of artificial intelligence.

Equity had previously said it would not strike due to UK legislation, but said it was “in solidarity” with its sister union.

Last year, Equity released a toolkit to help actors counter the growing use of AI in game performance.

“AI is a tool, and like any tool, it requires regulation,” Menkin told Eurogamer at the time. “We simply want to know what our voices are going to be used for, and be able to grant or withdraw consent if that use is outside the scope of our original contract. And if our work is making your AI tool money, we want to be fairly compensated.”

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