Performers in the gaming industry are speaking out about the distress they face when asked to work on explicit content without prior notice. Scenes featuring sexual assault and other intimate acts are common in modern games, but performers often do not know in advance that they will be required to act out such scenes.
Jessica Jefferies, a professional casting director, shared her experience of being asked to film a graphic rape scene without warning. She described the experience as “disgusting” and emphasized the importance of performers being informed in advance so they can make informed decisions about their involvement.
Equity, a performing arts union, is demanding action from the industry and has published guidelines on minimum pay and working conditions in games, including on intimate or explicit scenes. The guidelines recommend providing all cast members with a summary of the story, scene breakdown, and scripts in advance, allowing performers to request a closed set, and engaging a competent intimacy coordinator.
One voice actor who supports the guidelines shared her own experience of being put in uncomfortable situations due to the lack of information provided before performances. She stressed the need for change in the industry to ensure performers are treated with respect and given the necessary support.
While some games are taking steps to address these issues, such as employing intimacy coordinators, there is still work to be done to ensure the well-being of performers in the gaming industry. UKIE, the trade body for the games industry, emphasized the importance of fostering a supportive environment for all stakeholders in the UK video game sector.
Overall, performers are calling for more transparency and support in the industry to ensure they can work in a safe and respectful environment.
