Latest news with #2025GameDevelopersConference
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SAG-AFTRA's Duncan Crabtree-Ireland on How Consumers Can Support Video Game Actors Strike as It Nears 250-Day Mark
The SAG-AFTRA strike against major video game companies has nearly reached the 250-day mark and there's no deal yet. And while nothing seems to have changed from the outside, real progress is being made behind the scenes. The video game companies' bargaining committee (which represents Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions and WB Games) presented an updated counter proposal of the Interactive Media Agreement to the actors union on March 26, which 'directly addresses several issues the union has identified as important components of a deal,' a source close to negotiations told Variety. More from Variety SAG-AFTRA Affirms Support for DEI as Studios Back Away SAG-AFTRA Video Game Performers Hold Picket Outside WB Games as Strike Continues: 'We Are Still Fighting' Colman Domingo, Pamela Anderson, Zoe Saldaña Among This Year's SAG Awards Presenters (EXCLUSIVE) The SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee, which has consistently expressed that protections against generative AI for performers is their top priority, is currently reviewing the new proposal. 'We have proposed a deal that includes wage increases of over 15% for SAG-AFTRA represented performers in video games, as well as enhanced health and safety protections, industry-leading terms of use for AI digital replicas in-game and additional compensation for the use of an actor's performance in other games,' a spokesperson for the major gaming companies involved in the negotiations said in a statement Monday. 'We have made meaningful progress and are eager to return to the bargaining table to reach a deal.' On Friday, SAG-AFTRA announced the creation of the Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement, which the union says 'provide video game developers at every stage of their careers the opportunity to work with union performers, even as the video game strike continues.' Prior to these new movements, Variety spoke with SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland on March 20 during the 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC) about the possibility of a boycott, should progress continue to be stalled, and what he wants to see from consumers who are looking to support the actors in the strike. 'It's definitely a tool that's still in our toolbox,' Crabtree-Ireland said of the union's option to call for a formal boycott. 'Because we are actively having conversations, both formally and informally, with the industry, it's not a tool we have chosen to deploy yet — but we absolutely are willing to deploy it if the circumstances demand, and we absolutely have not ruled out doing that if necessary. But I'm hopeful that we'll be able to find the path to an agreement without having to pull that trigger, but it is definitely still something that we have at our disposal if and when our committee decides it's time to use it.' The strike began in July 2024, following an inability for SAG-AFTRA and the video game companies' bargaining committee to reach a deal for a new Interactive Media Agreement. They were able to find common ground on 24 items in a 25-item proposal, the ongoing sticking point being issues with generative AI. While his team is at work negotiating towards a resolution, Crabtree-Ireland has recommendations for members of the gaming community who want to back their cause from the outside. 'I think consumers definitely can support the strike by, first of all, just sharing their disappointment with the companies through social media channels, through customer service channels, just communicating either directly to the companies or publicly through social media that they support our members and what we're fighting for,' the SAG-AFTRA chief said. Crabtree-Ireland notes that SAG-AFTRA released 'a lengthy document with all of the proposals related to the strike, all the AI proposals from both sides, so that everyone can see for themselves exactly what the disputes are — and that this is not a case that some of the companies have tried to hint at in their public statements, of us rejecting perfectly great offers that they've put across the table, or them being sensitive to what we really need.' In those documents, Crabtree-Ireland says the union has laid out 'in very clear detail why the things the companies have offered have these massive loopholes that they could drive a truck through to take away our performers', our members' confidence that they won't be competing against their own digital replicas for work in the future.' 'So I think that the general public can just inform themselves, inform their friends, and help speak to their community and to the companies about the fact that they stand with us and just want companies to do the right thing so that everyone can get back to work,' he adds. Best of Variety What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SAG-AFTRA's Duncan Crabtree-Ireland on How Consumers Can Support Video Game Actors Strike as It Nears 250-Day Mark
The SAG-AFTRA strike against major video game companies has nearly reached the 250-day mark and there's no deal yet. And while nothing seems to have changed from the outside, real progress is being made behind the scenes. The video game companies' bargaining committee (which represents Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions and WB Games) presented an updated counter proposal of the Interactive Media Agreement to the actors union on March 26, which 'directly addresses several issues the union has identified as important components of a deal,' a source close to negotiations told Variety. More from Variety SAG-AFTRA Affirms Support for DEI as Studios Back Away SAG-AFTRA Video Game Performers Hold Picket Outside WB Games as Strike Continues: 'We Are Still Fighting' Colman Domingo, Pamela Anderson, Zoe Saldaña Among This Year's SAG Awards Presenters (EXCLUSIVE) The SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee, which has consistently expressed that protections against generative AI for performers is their top priority, is currently reviewing the new proposal. 'We have proposed a deal that includes wage increases of over 15% for SAG-AFTRA represented performers in video games, as well as enhanced health and safety protections, industry-leading terms of use for AI digital replicas in-game and additional compensation for the use of an actor's performance in other games,' a spokesperson for the major gaming companies involved in the negotiations said in a statement Monday. 'We have made meaningful progress and are eager to return to the bargaining table to reach a deal.' On Friday, SAG-AFTRA announced the creation of the Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement, which the union says 'provide video game developers at every stage of their careers the opportunity to work with union performers, even as the video game strike continues.' Prior to these new movements, Variety spoke with SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland on March 20 during the 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC) about the possibility of a boycott, should progress continue to be stalled, and what he wants to see from consumers who are looking to support the actors in the strike. 'It's definitely a tool that's still in our toolbox,' Crabtree-Ireland said of the union's option to call for a formal boycott. 'Because we are actively having conversations, both formally and informally, with the industry, it's not a tool we have chosen to deploy yet — but we absolutely are willing to deploy it if the circumstances demand, and we absolutely have not ruled out doing that if necessary. But I'm hopeful that we'll be able to find the path to an agreement without having to pull that trigger, but it is definitely still something that we have at our disposal if and when our committee decides it's time to use it.' The strike began in July 2024, following an inability for SAG-AFTRA and the video game companies' bargaining committee to reach a deal for a new Interactive Media Agreement. They were able to find common ground on 24 items in a 25-item proposal, the ongoing sticking point being issues with generative AI. While his team is at work negotiating towards a resolution, Crabtree-Ireland has recommendations for members of the gaming community who want to back their cause from the outside. 'I think consumers definitely can support the strike by, first of all, just sharing their disappointment with the companies through social media channels, through customer service channels, just communicating either directly to the companies or publicly through social media that they support our members and what we're fighting for,' the SAG-AFTRA chief said. Crabtree-Ireland notes that SAG-AFTRA released 'a lengthy document with all of the proposals related to the strike, all the AI proposals from both sides, so that everyone can see for themselves exactly what the disputes are — and that this is not a case that some of the companies have tried to hint at in their public statements, of us rejecting perfectly great offers that they've put across the table, or them being sensitive to what we really need.' In those documents, Crabtree-Ireland says the union has laid out 'in very clear detail why the things the companies have offered have these massive loopholes that they could drive a truck through to take away our performers', our members' confidence that they won't be competing against their own digital replicas for work in the future.' 'So I think that the general public can just inform themselves, inform their friends, and help speak to their community and to the companies about the fact that they stand with us and just want companies to do the right thing so that everyone can get back to work,' he adds. Best of Variety What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2025 Game Developers Conference and Inaugural GDC Nights Begin Today at San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center
The 39th Edition of the World's Longest-Running Professional Game Industry Event Kicks off This Week With Networking Opportunities, Innovative Content and Inaugural GDC Nights Community Events SAN FRANCISCO, March 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC), the world's largest annual gathering of game industry professionals and enthusiasts devoted to the art and science of making games, begins its 39th edition today at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. In support of this year's theme of "Connecting the World through Games," the conference is introducing GDC Nights, an after-hours experience designed to bring attendees from across the globe together for two unforgettable evenings on Monday and Thursday. The week-long Game Developers Conference will feature more than 1,000 experienced speakers, 725 insightful sessions, workshops, roundtable discussions and networking events alongside 400 exhibitors on the GDC Expo floor, coming together from more than 100 different countries. On the eve of GDC, noted Bay Area street artist Max Ehrman has partnered with the event to produce an original piece of street art celebrating the conference's home of San Francisco and highlight GDC's commitment to giving back to the community that has inspired and hosted it for decades. The piece is available for public viewing on Geary Street, between Powell & Mason. GDC content starts with two days of GDC Summits today, March 17, and tomorrow, March 18. These summits offer developer-led deep dives into specialized game development disciplines, with topics that include game AI, level design, art direction, live service games, visual effects, community management, advanced graphics, game narrative and much more. The summits offer attendees actionable skills and philosophies to incorporate into their careers and hobbies. The inaugural GDC Nights kicks off on the evenings of Monday and Thursday, taking over all three floors of Moscone's West Hall from 6:30-10:00pm. Featuring a festival of fun and creative activities, GDC Nights offers developers a comfortable, engaging and immersive space to gather. The full list of GDC Nights activities includes Games Done Quick hosted speed runs, Day of the Devs Indie games showcase, TV/movie screenings, live music, comedy shows, karaoke, concessions and bars, board games and more. GDC attendees can add GDC Nights to their pass, while those who aren't attending GDC can grab a standalone GDC Nights pass to join the fun. Starting on Wednesday, March 20, the GDC's Core conference content begins with the GDC Main Stage Performance titled "A Developer's Concert" in West Hall's Main Stage at 12:30pm. This extraordinary live orchestral performance is presented by renowned composer Austin Wintory (Stray Gods, Journey, Banner Saga 1-3 and Assassin's Creed Syndicate), who is returning to conduct a whole new slate of classics and deep cuts. Springing from the theme of "Connecting the World through Games," the music will come from all corners of the gaming world, with lots of surprises and special guests. The GDC Main Stage will also feature a presentation hosted by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) to bring light to a new accessibility initiative, and discuss how five organizations (Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America and Ubisoft) are coming together to create an industry-wide program designed to improve and expand the player experience. All attendees are invited to attend this exciting performance. Core Concept sessions will continue from Wednesday, March 19 through Friday, March 21. These sessions will focus on many of the key pillars of game development: Audio, Business & Marketing, Design, Production & Team Leadership, Programming and Visual Arts. World-renowned designers will lead sessions on ASTRO BOT, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Split Fiction, Dredge, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Helldivers 2, TEKKEN 8, Final Fantasy VII: Remake, Like a Dragon and much more. The 27th annual Independent Games Festival (IGF), the longest-running festival, summit and showcase celebrating independent games and their creators, and the 25th annual Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCAs), the leading peer-based video game event celebrating the industry's top games and developers, will take place back-to-back on Wednesday, March 19, starting at 6:30pm PT. Both ceremonies are available to attend for all GDC 2025 pass holders, and will be live-streamed on the event mobile app and the official GDC Twitch channel. The awards will be archived on Twitch and the official GDC YouTube channel. "Throughout its decades-long evolution, GDC has served as an important hub for meaningful connections for attendees from around the world, underscoring the theme of 'Connecting the World Through Games,'" said Stephenie Hawkins, GDC Event Director. "With exciting new accessibility initiatives, musical performances and interactive communal experiences at GDC Nights, all bound together by more than 725 developer-led sessions, we aim to make GDC 2025 an engaging, affirming and safe experience for all attendees." The GDC Expo floor serves as a showcase for top game industry companies to exhibit their latest innovations and meet with attendees from around the world. The GDC Expo also features interactive community spaces where attendees can meet or reconnect and play, ponder and inspire each other. The showcase returns, celebrating 11 years as one of GDC's most acclaimed community spaces. Attendees can play games using alternative controllers, many of which focus on providing new accessibility features, and meet the developers behind these unique projects. The IGF Pavilion hosts the finalists of the IGF Awards, providing attendees with a chance to play some of the most exciting and boundary-pushing independent games that will be seen during the IGF Award ceremony on Wednesday evening. GDC Play is an interactive showcase on the GDC Expo floor featuring innovative projects and games and the emerging and independent developers who created them. Returning in 2025 is the Game History Gallery, created in partnership with the Video Game History Foundation. Displaying historic pieces of gaming hardware, a handful of playable games and a donation space, attendees can learn about the importance of video game preservation and experience inspiring and pivotal games from the past. For more details on the Game Developers Conference, please visit GDC's official website, or subscribe to regular updates via Facebook, X, or Bluesky. Official photos are available via the official GDC Flickr account. About GDC The Game Developers Conference® (GDC) is the world's largest professional game industry event with market-defining content for programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals, business decision makers, and others involved in the development of interactive games and immersive experiences. GDC brings together the global game development community year-round through events and digital media, including the GDC Networking Meet-ups, GDC Vault, Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards. GDC is organized by Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organizer in the world. To learn more and for the latest news and information visit View source version on Contacts fortyseven communicationsHiro Itogdcpress@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
2025 Game Developers Conference and Inaugural GDC Nights Begin Today at San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center
The 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC), the world's largest annual gathering of game industry professionals and enthusiasts devoted to the art and science of making games, begins its 39th edition today at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. In support of this year's theme of 'Connecting the World through Games,' the conference is introducing GDC Nights, an after-hours experience designed to bring attendees from across the globe together for two unforgettable evenings on Monday and Thursday. The week-long Game Developers Conference will feature more than 1,000 experienced speakers, 725 insightful sessions, workshops, roundtable discussions and networking events alongside 400 exhibitors on the GDC Expo floor, coming together from more than 100 different countries. On the eve of GDC, noted Bay Area street artist Max Ehrman has partnered with the event to produce an original piece of street art celebrating the conference's home of San Francisco and highlight GDC's commitment to giving back to the community that has inspired and hosted it for decades. The piece is available for public viewing on Geary Street, between Powell & Mason. GDC content starts with two days of GDC Summits today, March 17, and tomorrow, March 18. These summits offer developer-led deep dives into specialized game development disciplines, with topics that include game AI, level design, art direction, live service games, visual effects, community management, advanced graphics, game narrative and much more. The summits offer attendees actionable skills and philosophies to incorporate into their careers and hobbies. The inaugural GDC Nights kicks off on the evenings of Monday and Thursday, taking over all three floors of Moscone's West Hall from 6:30-10:00pm. Featuring a festival of fun and creative activities, GDC Nights offers developers a comfortable, engaging and immersive space to gather. The full list of GDC Nights activities includes Games Done Quick hosted speed runs, Day of the Devs Indie games showcase, TV/movie screenings, live music, comedy shows, karaoke, concessions and bars, board games and more. GDC attendees can add GDC Nights to their pass, while those who aren't attending GDC can grab a standalone GDC Nights pass to join the fun. Starting on Wednesday, March 20, the GDC's Core conference content begins with the GDC Main Stage Performance titled ' A Developer's Concert ' in West Hall's Main Stage at 12:30pm. This extraordinary live orchestral performance is presented by renowned composer Austin Wintory ( Stray Gods, Journey, Banner Saga 1-3 and Assassin's Creed Syndicate), who is returning to conduct a whole new slate of classics and deep cuts. Springing from the theme of 'Connecting the World through Games,' the music will come from all corners of the gaming world, with lots of surprises and special guests. The GDC Main Stage will also feature a presentation hosted by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) to bring light to a new accessibility initiative, and discuss how five organizations (Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America and Ubisoft) are coming together to create an industry-wide program designed to improve and expand the player experience. All attendees are invited to attend this exciting performance. Core Concept sessions will continue from Wednesday, March 19 through Friday, March 21. These sessions will focus on many of the key pillars of game development: Audio, Business & Marketing, Design, Production & Team Leadership, Programming and Visual Arts. World-renowned designers will lead sessions on ASTRO BOT, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Split Fiction, Dredge, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Helldivers 2, TEKKEN 8, Final Fantasy VII: Remake, Like a Dragon and much more. The 27th annual Independent Games Festival (IGF), the longest-running festival, summit and showcase celebrating independent games and their creators, and the 25th annual Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCAs), the leading peer-based video game event celebrating the industry's top games and developers, will take place back-to-back on Wednesday, March 19, starting at 6:30pm PT. Both ceremonies are available to attend for all GDC 2025 pass holders, and will be live-streamed on the event mobile app and the official GDC Twitch channel. The awards will be archived on Twitch and the official GDC YouTube channel. 'Throughout its decades-long evolution, GDC has served as an important hub for meaningful connections for attendees from around the world, underscoring the theme of 'Connecting the World Through Games,'' said Stephenie Hawkins, GDC Event Director. 'With exciting new accessibility initiatives, musical performances and interactive communal experiences at GDC Nights, all bound together by more than 725 developer-led sessions, we aim to make GDC 2025 an engaging, affirming and safe experience for all attendees.' The GDC Expo floor serves as a showcase for top game industry companies to exhibit their latest innovations and meet with attendees from around the world. The GDC Expo also features interactive community spaces where attendees can meet or reconnect and play, ponder and inspire each other. The showcase returns, celebrating 11 years as one of GDC's most acclaimed community spaces. Attendees can play games using alternative controllers, many of which focus on providing new accessibility features, and meet the developers behind these unique projects. The IGF Pavilion hosts the finalists of the IGF Awards, providing attendees with a chance to play some of the most exciting and boundary-pushing independent games that will be seen during the IGF Award ceremony on Wednesday evening. GDC Play is an interactive showcase on the GDC Expo floor featuring innovative projects and games and the emerging and independent developers who created them. Returning in 2025 is the Game History Gallery, created in partnership with the Video Game History Foundation. Displaying historic pieces of gaming hardware, a handful of playable games and a donation space, attendees can learn about the importance of video game preservation and experience inspiring and pivotal games from the past. For more details on the Game Developers Conference, please visit GDC's official website, or subscribe to regular updates via Facebook, X, or Bluesky. Official photos are available via the official GDC Flickr account. The Game Developers Conference® (GDC) is the world's largest professional game industry event with market-defining content for programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals, business decision makers, and others involved in the development of interactive games and immersive experiences. GDC brings together the global game development community year-round through events and digital media, including the GDC Networking Meet-ups, GDC Vault, Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards. Hiro Ito SOURCE: Game Developers Conference Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/17/2025 01:54 PM/DISC: 03/17/2025 01:55 PM
