In exciting news for indie game developers and performers alike, SAG-AFTRA has introduced a new tiered agreement aimed at providing smaller studios access to union talent for their projects.
Dubbed the “Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement,” this contract covers games with budgets ranging from $250,000 to $15 million, significantly expanding the union’s reach in the indie game scene beyond the previous Low Budget Agreement introduced back in 2016.
“This committee and I were proud to introduce the original Low Budget Agreement in 2016 to cover the indie games space because it is so full of energizing experimentation and wonderfully heart-forward storytelling. Working with these teams can be deeply rewarding and I’m thrilled with the updated and expanded tiered structure in the new agreement, which will capture more of this work. I’m excited for my fellow performers, and excited that developers will have access to my amazing union peers,” said Interactive Media Negotiating Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh.
The agreement provides customized session rates based on three budget tiers: $250,000-$1 million, $1 million-$5 million, and $5 million-$15 million. It also simplifies much of the language from the main Interactive Media Agreement to cater better to indie developers.
Additional key features include secondary payments for runaway success, informed consent and compensation for digital replicas, and more, incorporating performer safety and sustainability provisions that have been major negotiation points with larger studios.
“Independent studios and small-to-mid-sized projects are a driving force propelling innovation and creativity in the video game industry. This new contract provides them an opportunity to work with some of the world’s top performers,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
The full text of the agreement and FAQs are available on SAG-AFTRA’s website for interested developers. The union remains in ongoing negotiations with most major game companies as well.
With strong protections for performers and opportunities for exciting new talent to shine through, the Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement promises further to boost creativity and passion within the indie game community.
