Interactive Program Contract

What is the Interactive Program Contract?

The WGAE offers a simple, one-page Interactive Program Contract (IPC) that covers writing for videogames. This contract ensures that writers receive employer-paid contributions to the Producer-Writers Guild of America Pension Plan and the Writers Guild-Industry Health Fund, the industry-wide pension and health funds in which television and screenwriters participate.

What else do I need to know?

If your interactive project meets certain criteria, you may be eligible to join the New Media Caucus –a community for professional writers who develop content for digital distribution, which aims to engage as many participants from the digital/new media industry to help establish expectations of income, pension and benefits among these professional writers, and avoid their being pushed into the limits of a gig economy lifestyle. The New Media Caucus holds 3-4 meetings annually and hosts many other events throughout the year.

The WGA Videogame Writing Award

Each year, Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) present a Videogame Writing Award at their simultaneous awards ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.

The WGA Videogame Writing Award was established by the Guilds’ Videogame Writers Caucus to encourage storytelling excellence in videogames, improve the status of videogame writers, and promote uniform standards within the videogame industry. It recognizes the creative contributions videogame writers have made to a host of globally popular videogame titles and to the burgeoning videogame industry as a whole.

To submit an entry for the Videogame Writing Award, visit Rules for Videogame Writing Award.

Overview of the IPC

• Terms of employment for writers are negotiated on a project-by-project basis
• Flexible agreement
• Secures Pension & Health Fund contributions, Guild Shop, and dispute resolution for writers

Signing a Guild Agreement—Information for Employers

A Simple Contract

The Interactive Program Contract (IPC) is a simplified collective bargaining agreement that allows a company to negotiate the terms of employment for writers on a project-by-project basis. The IPC is extremely flexible. Other than the negotiated writer compensation, the only mandatory employment terms are Pension & Health Fund contributions, Guild Shop (requiring WGA membership), and dispute resolution through binding arbitration.

Why Sign?

WGA writers are recognized as highly skilled professionals at the top of the entertainment industry. By using the IPC, your company will be able to hire WGA writers and take advantage of this extraordinary labor pool. The ability to compete for the best talent will help your company achieve its goal of creating the best content possible.

How Does Signing Benefit My Company?

By signing the IPC, your company will be entitled to participate in WGA Pension & Health Fund. These Funds, which are among the best in the industry, allow writers to qualify for portable medical and retirement benefits that follow them from job to job. The ability to offer such a benefit gives your company a significant competitive advantage in attracting top talent.

Who Should I Contact?

If you are filing documents, call Signatories, Agents, & Contracts Administrator Rochelle Rubin at (212) 767-7837 or by email.

Writers who are interested in filing an Interactive Screenplay Contract may also be eligible for membership in the Guild’s New Media Caucus.