Actors’ union calls ‘League of Legends’ video game maker on strike — here’s why

Unionized video game actors filed an unfair labor practice charge and announced a strike Tuesday against Formosa Interactive, which provides voice services for the popular online game “League of Legends,” the actors’ union said.

Members of the SAG-AFTRA union have stopped providing cover performance services for “League of Legends,” and the massively multiplayer online battle arena game developed by Riot Games in 2009 is now listed by the union as a hit

“The complaint comes after Formosa attempted to ‘cancel’ one of its hit video games shortly after the SAG-AFTRA video game strike began,” the union said in a statement.

“When told this was not possible, they secretly outsourced the game to a shell company and sent out casting notices for ‘NON-UNION’ talent only.

The union said the transfer violates performers’ rights to strike under labor laws.

Formosa said it disputes SAG-AFTRA’s claims and has not undermined the union’s rights in any way.

“We believe that the strike of ‘League of Legends,’ a game unrelated to the union’s claims, is not appropriate,” she said in a statement.

Formosa “stands with developers, publishers, platform holders and talent” and promotes ethical game development, he added.

Riot Games said in a statement Tuesday that “League of Legends” had nothing to do with the union’s claims and “never suggested” that Formosa engage non-union performers.

The American video game developer also said it had not asked Formosa to cancel a previously registered game.

Known for its free-to-play structure and team cooperation, League of Legends is one of the most popular games in the world with one of the biggest Esports competitions.

The League of Legends World Championship gives teams from around the world the opportunity to compete for millions of dollars that are distributed among members.

This strike follows the union’s recent achievements with legal protections against artificial intelligence (AI) for Hollywood performers signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in September, as well as an agreement reached with major record labels such as Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment in April.