The SAG AFTRA strike against AI use in video games has now been extended to another game. League of Legends has become a specific target for the strike following the actions of Formosa Interactive LLC. According to the news release by SAG AFTRA, Formosa allegedly attempted to circumvent the strike after a failed attempt to “cancel” a game that had fallen under the strike’s focus for union members to not engage with.

SAG-AFTRA Strikes League of Legends https://t.co/sn6JwzDVLI

— SAG-AFTRA NEWS (@sagaftranews) September 24, 2024

After this alleged attempted cancellation, the game was allegedly “secretly transferred… to a shell company and sent out casting notices for ‘NON-UNION’ talent only.” In response, SAG AFTRA has filed that Formosa has engaged in unsafe working practices. The main focus of the filing has SAG AFTRA responding to the non-union talent policy which goes against labor laws that prevent employers from interfering with performers’ ability to join a union or discrimination against union members in the employment process. 

The use of the shell company to attempt to subvert the strike protocols is not being ignored either, and is grievously harmful to workers rights. Therefore, in response League of Legends has been singled out as the target of strike action against Formosa. League of Legends, Formosa’s longest ongoing project, has been added to the strike list for all union members to avoid work from. It should also be noted that it seems like the strike against League of Legends is the first step in terms of action to hold Formosa accountable for their actions. 

Speaking on the matter, Interactive Agreement Negotiating Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh said:

League of Legends is a game of champions. Instead of championing the union performers who bring their immense talent and experience to beloved characters, decision-makers at Formosa have chosen to try to evade and abandon them. 

League of Legends is probably the most popular or famous game currently on the strike list, and might give the strike some mainstream coverage, although the infamy of the League community might not be the best publicity.