Does anyone seriously think indie studios can afford SAG-AFTRA rates? The numbers don't lie. Voice acting budgets for most indie games sit between $1,000 and $10,000 total, while union minimums demand $800-$1,000 per hour. That's a non-starter.
Look at what happened with games like "Hades" or "Undertale" — non-union talent delivered iconic performances at reasonable costs. Unionizing would lock smaller studios out of professional voice work entirely. You'd either get silence, cheap AI voices, or only big-budget triple-A titles getting quality acting.
The real issue isn't protection — it's flexibility. Many voice actors already negotiate residuals, health contributions, and fair treatment without a union. The market handles it. Adding a union just adds friction.
08:15 PM