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VIDEO GAME UNION ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ VIDEO GAME UNION ‼️‼️‼️

UNION ‼️‼️ UNION ‼️‼️‼️ UNION ‼️‼️‼️‼️

UNION ‼️‼️ UNION ‼️‼️‼️ UNION ‼️‼️‼️‼️ THIS SHIT GOES SO HARD!!!!! AWOOOOOOOOOOOO 🐺🐺🐺🐺

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Reminder: The writers do not in any way benefit from this.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN

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Some nice games industry news for a change. Developers at Blizzard have formed a wall-to-wall union.

This is hot on the heels of developers at Bethesda doing the same.

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SAG-AFTRA IS STRIKING AGAIN

This time, for video games.

Some key information:

They are striking so all performers will have protection against AI

The struck companies are those signed to the Interactive Media Agreement

The listed companies by SAG-AFTRA include Activision Productions Inc, Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc, Electronic Arts Productions Inc, Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc, Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc, VoiceWorks Productions Inc and WB Games Inc. Though this may not be everyone.

Important things from the FAQ:

Some games from struck companies are non-struck (due to the Collective Bargaining Agreement still being in effect)

Localisations will be affected if covered under the Interactive Localization Agreement

Actors who are part of SAG-AFTRA cannot work for non-union or independent/low-budged productions during the strike unless they are signed to an Interim Interactive Media Agreement, Interim Interactive Localization Agreement or a Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement

Similarly to the previous strike, struck work cannot be promoted. This includes accepting awards for performances in struck games. This does NOT include hosting/performing a skit at an awards show and San Diego Comic Con (the latter due to the close proximity to the calling of the strike)

As implied by the point above, SAG-AFTRA performers cannot partake in panels related to struck games or companies, including finished games produced by struck companies

The best way to check if a game is struck is to use the search tool provided by SAG-AFTRA

Most importantly: You are NOT being asked to stop playing video games, as highlighted in the FAQ for creators and streamers. This does NOT cross the picket line. Though please do talk about the strike and show your solidarity

I expect to see the same amount of support from y'all that we saw in the last strike. Just because it's video games doesn't mean performers deserve any less support and protection.

Also please reblog with any additions (with sources - we are NOT here to spread misinformation)! And please correct me if anything listed here is incorrect.

SOURCES:

Video Game Strike FAQs | SAG-AFTRA (sagaftra.org)

SAG-AFTRA Members Who Work on Video Games Go on Strike | SAG-AFTRA (sagaftra.org)

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Congratulations to the workers at Bethesda!

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Some actually good game industry news

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I completely forgot until our social media manager brought it up but the Forage Friends discord is trying to reach 1000 members so if you’re interested in the game i’m working on, feel free to check it out. Absolutely no pressure though ✌️

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Amid a lengthy contract negotiation with the video game industry, SAG-AFTRA has inked a deal with Replica Studios regarding the use of AI digital voice replicas in video games.

The guild’s National Executive Director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland announced the deal with Replica on Tuesday alongsie the studio’s CEO Shreyas Nivas at the Las Vegas tech summit CES.

The agreement will span both the creation of digital voice replicas and their use throughout game development. The deal includes minimum rates and terms that require safe storage of performer data, transparency around the nature of the content of digital replica will be used for, performer consent for use of their replica in any new project, limitations on the amount of time that a performance replica can be employed without further payment, and consent.

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It’s been more than six months since the WGA went on strike. Since then people who work in Hollywood have been struggling financially being out of work. We are now reaching the point where the 23-24 season may not be salvaged in television.

This didn’t have to happen. This wouldn’t have happened if the AMPTP had come back to the table sooner with both unions instead of being dishonest and trying to get away with giving them an unfair contract. It took the WGA 148 days to reach a deal and if it takes SAG that long or even longer then we will continue to stand by them.

One day longer. One day stronger. As long as it takes.

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Dear #SagAftraMembers:

We did it! Our historic TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike is over as of 12:01 a.m. PT this morning. After 118 days on strike, we are set to change the future of our industry with a transformative contract that includes gains for every category of SAG-AFTRA member who works this contract.

This revolutionary agreement achieves major breakthroughs in addressing compensation via residuals and protections from generative artificial intelligence technology while reaffirming the role human performers play in the production of film, television and streaming entertainment.

Tomorrow, the National Board will meet to review the tentative agreement and vote on whether or not to send it to you, the membership, for a ratification vote.

Although full details will not be shared in advance of tomorrow’s meeting, we wanted to share just a few key deal points:

More than one billion dollars in new wages and benefit plan funding;

• A streaming participation bonus;

• Minimum compensation increases that break the so-called “industry pattern;

For the first time, consent and compensation guardrails on the use of AI;

• Raised Pension & Health caps that will channel more value into our funds; and

• Critical protections for diverse communities.

We’re proud of the phenomenal efforts of our TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee, and send our sincerest thanks to you — the members — who made these gains possible by granting a strike authorization prior to negotiations, and remaining resolved throughout the 118 days of our strike. Your solidarity helped us achieve the necessary leverage to secure these unprecedented gains.

We’re also grateful to our union siblings who stood by our side  – literally and figuratively – from the very beginning. We truly could not have succeeded without your unwavering support.

Effective immediately, all SAG-AFTRA members should fulfill their contractual obligations and return to work.

Members and influencers may resume services relating to publicity and the promotion of motion pictures produced under the CBA and Television Agreement, without consequence or conflict with the union.

Please keep an eye out for an email from SAG-AFTRA and follow us on social media for news on the National Board’s recommendation.

In unity,

President @frandrescher and National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator @DuncanCI

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We received an offer today from the AMPTP which they characterized as their “Last, Best, and Final Offer.” We are reviewing it and considering our response within the context of the critical issues addressed in our proposals.

As always, unless it comes from your union, please do not believe any outside sources or rumors.

- Update from SAG, Nov 4 2023

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Hollywood studios are giving one more week to negotiations with SAG-AFTRA before they are ready to pack it in for the rest of the year, TheWrap has learned.

According to an individual with knowledge of their thinking, the studios believe that if they can’t reach a deal in the next week with the Screen Actors Guild, which has been on strike since July 14, then no new production will be able to start before 2024.

If that is the case, the studios further believe, then the fall television season is lost, and new movies won’t be able to come out until next summer. In this scenario, early November would be the drop-dead date to salvage any ability to put television or movies into production. Once the calendar hits Thanksgiving, it is unlikely any project would begin production, pushing off everything to the new year, this individual said, and killing the studios’ incentive to push for a deal.

[TAKE THIS FOR WHAT IT IS: A BLUFF]

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Oct, 19 2023 - Dear #SagAftraMembers:

In this time of adversity and hardship, our unwavering solidarity, along with that of our sister union members, is truly inspiring. For 98 days, we've stood strong, united in our pursuit of justice, fairness, and the value we bring to the industry.

The WGA triumphed after 148 hard-fought days, proof that perseverance will break the toughest barriers and result in the transformative change we need to justify everyone’s sacrifices

The AMPTP continues to attempt to sow division amongst us, misrepresenting our proposals and trying to manipulate public sentiment. Yet, even as they walked away, we all remained steadfast, refusing to be swayed by anything less than what we rightfully deserve.

We’re grateful that a few of our most successful members have engaged to offer ideas and support. Beyond donating extraordinary sums of money to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation in support of members during the strike, these influential individuals have sought to offer suggestions in particular with regard to our streaming sharing proposal and the AMPTP's characterization that we are asking for too much. They have contemplated increasing the amount of money that the highest earners contribute to the union via raising their dues.

This generous concept is worthy of consideration, but it is in no way related to and would have no bearing on this present contract or even as a subject of collective bargaining. It is, in fact,  prohibited by Federal labor law. For example, our Pension and Health plans are funded exclusively from employer contributions. It also doesn’t speak to the scale of the overall package. Having said that, their creativity and earnest desire to help solve the impasse are very much appreciated. It is worth noting that the union has a very robust process to include the concerns of every member.

The fact that the heads of the networks, streaming companies and studios are open to communicating with them directly is great. But, the executives should not for one second think that they can use the good will of member emissaries to distract us from our mission

We are not asking for too much. As a faithful bargaining partner, and understanding their stated concerns with our 2% revenue/subscription sharing proposal, we made a calculated adjustment. After several, seemingly constructive sessions, we pivoted from the plan we carefully and responsibly developed over the past year and dropped our ask to 1%. We did so, by restructuring our proposal, tailoring it to address their concerns. They responded by walking out and calling us greedy.

Our revenue/subscription sharing model is only one piece of our overall proposal package. The AMPTP continues to refuse to counter many of our absolutely vital proposals including the minimum wage rates that our membership are on strike to achieve.

So, for now, we encourage all members to champion our full proposal package and get out on the picket line. Throughout the course of this strike, higher profile members have marched and spoken loudly in favor of the Negotiating Committee securing a worthy deal. In that, we are united.

To our fearless strike captains, your resilience is awe-inspiring. The members of the Negotiating Committee were honored to join you this week on the lines to show our appreciation. Your contributions are essential to the success of this strike. With each day, we grow closer to creating a film and television industry where talent can thrive sustainably.

To our industry siblings – AFM, DGA, IATSE, WGA, Teamsters and the Basic Crafts – thank you for standing beside us, a testament to the unwavering bond of unionism, even in the face of shared hardships. We will not forget nor abandon you when it’s your turn at the table.

Let's be clear: Our call is simple. AMPTP, it's time to negotiate genuinely, valuing our contributions and solidifying an industry that champions everyone within it. We subsidized the growth of the streaming model with reduced rates and low to non-existent residuals. It’s time to share in the success we’ve helped build.

Just as the WGA weathered the storm, so shall we. Let's draw strength from one another and trust that our unity will lead us to the contract we deserve.

One day longer. One day stronger. As long as it takes

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It is with profound disappointment that we report the industry CEOs have walked away from the bargaining table after refusing to counter our latest offer. (1/11)

We have negotiated with them in good faith, despite the fact that last week they presented an offer that was, shockingly, worth less than they proposed before the strike began.

These companies refuse to protect performers from being replaced by AI, they refuse to increase your wages to keep up with inflation, and they refuse to share a tiny portion of the immense revenue YOUR work generates for them.

We have made big, meaningful counters on our end, including completely transforming our revenue share proposal, which would cost the companies less than 57¢ per subscriber each year. They have rejected our proposals and refused to counter.

Instead they use bully tactics. Just tonight, they intentionally misrepresented to the press the cost of the above proposal – overstating it by 60%.

They have done the same with A.I., claiming to protect performer consent, but continuing to demand “consent” on the first day of employment for use of a performer’s digital replica for an entire cinematic universe (or any franchise project).

The companies are using the same failed strategy they tried to inflict on the WGA – putting out misleading information in an attempt to fool our members into abandoning our solidarity and putting pressure on our negotiators.

But, just like the writers, our members are smarter than that and will not be fooled.

We feel the pain these companies have inflicted on our members, our strike captains, IATSE, Teamsters and Basic Crafts union members, and everyone in this industry. We have sacrificed too much to capitulate to their stonewalling and greed.

We stand united and ready to negotiate today, tomorrow, and every day.

Our resolve is unwavering. Join us on picket lines and at solidarity events around the country and let your voices be heard.

One day longer. One day stronger. As long as it takes.

- Your TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee

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early heads-up

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girl seize the means of production!