SAG-AFTRA releases Pre-Funding Pitch Interactive Media Agreement for game pitches
SAG-AFTRA has published a framework for using union actors in game pitches, vertical slices and demos made before funding. Until now there were no specific union guidelines for that work.
Digital Developer Desk, 2d ago, 2 min read
SAG-AFTRA, the American performers' union, released the Pre-Funding Pitch Interactive Media Agreement on 6 November 2026. It covers the use of union actors in pitches and other pre-release content meant to win a publisher's backing, and it is aimed at developers building full-featured game pitches.
Game Developer reports that no specific union guidelines previously existed for using union actors in a pitch intended to get a project greenlit by a publisher. The new agreement lets developers recruit SAG-AFTRA performers for vertical slices, demos and similar content during pre-production.
Eligibility has limits. A game with more than 30% of its initial production funding secured is excluded. So is anything that will be commercially released, which Game Developer notes is rare for pitch material but is explicitly against the rules.
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and CEO Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said the agreement streamlines hiring professional union talent and can help developers secure backing in a competitive industry. SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin said it lets developers bring in professional voice and motion performance talent earlier, to build a higher-quality pitch.
Game Developer's report suggests the rules may be an effort to head off the use of generative AI voices in pre-production. It argues the agreement involves actors earlier and could keep developers from relying on AI voices that can be iterated on without the actors.
Sources
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