Latest news with #AshlyBurch
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Video game actors' strike officially ends after AI deal
Video game actors have voted to end a year-long strike over artificial intelligence (AI) protections. About 2,500 members of US union SAG-Aftra were involved in the action against 10 of the biggest companies in the industry, including Activision and Electronic Arts. Both sides had spent months hashing out a deal over the use of AI to replicate an actor's performance - and "guardrails" to prevent this from happening. The union said 95% of those who voted had backed the agreement, which also included changes to pay and health and safety protections. Both sides had already been locked in negotiations for about 18 months when the strike began last July. At the time, SAG-Aftra said they had agreed on 24 out of 25 disputed areas but the sticking point was using AI to replicate human performances. The big barrier was a disagreement over motion capture actors whose work was treated as "data" rather than as a performance. In a statement released after the vote to end the strike, the union said a new contract secured "consent and disclosure requirements for AI digital replica use". Performers can also withdraw consent in the event of future strikes, it said. Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game companies negotiating with SAG-Aftra, said they were "pleased" members had approved a new Interactive Media Agreement. She said it included "historic wage increases, industry-leading AI protections, and enhanced health and safety measures for performers". Ashly Burch is a video game actor known for her performances as Tiny Tina in the Borderlands Series and Chloe in adventure game Life is Strange. Speaking to BBC Newsbeat after the strike was suspended so members could vote, Ashly said performers didn't want a total ban on AI in game development. "We just don't want to be replaced by it," she said. She said AI was "arguably a bigger threat to voice and movement performers" than actors in film and TV, and the strike's main goal was guarantees around "consent, transparency, and compensation". "Basically you have to get our consent to make a digital replica of us," she said. "You have to tell us how you're going to use it, and then you have to compensate us fairly." One of Ashly's best-known characters - Aloy from Sony's Horizon series - became a talking point during the strike when an AI-powered prototype of the character leaked. She said the response from fans to the model - which showed the character responding to prompts from a player - was reassuring. "To a person, everyone was like, 'I don't want AI performances in my games,," she added. Ashly has also worked on live-action projects such as Apple TV show Mythic Quest and her recent web series I'm Happy You're Here, focused on mental health. She said both reminded her of what human beings can bring to a role. "And that, to me, as a person that loves games and loves art, is the big risk of AI, that we're going to lose out on really interesting, evocative performances." The video game actors' strike did not affect the entire industry and mostly applied to workers and projects based in the US. And unlike the all-out 2023 Hollywood strike, video game performers were still able to work with companies that signed an interim addressing concerns over AI. Veteran voice actors Robbie Daymond and Ray Chase, who set up their own games studio, tell BBC Newsbeat the arrangement allowed them to continue work on their debut release, Date Everything! The game features a cast of roughly 70 well-known performers who were able to work on the project thanks to the interim deal. But Robbie, who's appeared in Final Fantasy 15 and various anime series, says it has been a tough year for performers in the US. "This was a long strike, and it has been heavily impactful for everybody involved," he says. Robbie says he is aware of people whose income took a hit in an industry where many performers do short stints on multiple projects. "I just hope people understand that when a strike goes on this long and people are talking about how serious it is for them, that it has a real human impact," he says. Video games strike rumbles on in row over AI Esports World Cup: The contest teams can't afford to miss Xbox producer tells staff to use AI to ease job loss pain Ray points out that voice actors had the option of taking work outside of video games, but the strike was especially hard for actors who specialise in motion capture. "If you came out to Los Angeles to be a motion capture actor, then your entire existence is being threatened by AI," he says. "Those guys are heroes for sticking out this long." Ray also points out that the strike will have affected video game developers if they weren't able to hire actors as easily. "Strikes are never easy on on workers. They're never easy on anybody," he says. "We're just so happy that we've found a peaceful resolution, for sure." Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Video game actors' strike officially ends after AI deal
Video game actors have voted to end a year-long strike over artificial intelligence (AI) 2,500 members of US union SAG-Aftra were involved in the action against 10 of the biggest companies in the industry, including Activision and Electronic sides had spent months hashing out a deal over the use of AI to replicate an actor's performance - and "guardrails" to prevent this from union said 95% of those who voted had backed the agreement, which also included changes to pay and health and safety protections. Both sides had already been locked in negotiations for about 18 months when the strike began last the time, SAG-Aftra said they had agreed on 24 out of 25 disputed areas but the sticking point was using AI to replicate human big barrier was a disagreement over motion capture actors whose work was treated as "data" rather than as a a statement released after the vote to end the strike, the union said a new contract secured "consent and disclosure requirements for AI digital replica use".Performers can also withdraw consent in the event of future strikes, it Cooling, spokesperson for the video game companies negotiating with SAG-Aftra, said they were "pleased" members had approved a new Interactive Media Agreement. She said it included "historic wage increases, industry-leading AI protections, and enhanced health and safety measures for performers". Ashly Burch is a video game actor known for her performances as Tiny Tina in the Borderlands Series and Chloe in adventure game Life is to BBC Newsbeat after the strike was suspended so members could vote, Ashly said performers didn't want a total ban on AI in game development."We just don't want to be replaced by it," she said AI was "arguably a bigger threat to voice and movement performers" than actors in film and TV, and the strike's main goal was guarantees around "consent, transparency, and compensation"."Basically you have to get our consent to make a digital replica of us," she said."You have to tell us how you're going to use it, and then you have to compensate us fairly."One of Ashly's best-known characters - Aloy from Sony's Horizon series - became a talking point during the strike when an AI-powered prototype of the character said the response from fans to the model - which showed the character responding to prompts from a player - was reassuring. "To a person, everyone was like, 'I don't want AI performances in my games,," she has also worked on live-action projects such as Apple TV show Mythic Quest and her recent web series I'm Happy You're Here, focused on mental health. She said both reminded her of what human beings can bring to a role."And that, to me, as a person that loves games and loves art, is the big risk of AI, that we're going to lose out on really interesting, evocative performances." The video game actors' strike did not affect the entire industry and mostly applied to workers and projects based in the unlike the all-out 2023 Hollywood strike, video game performers were still able to work with companies that signed an interim addressing concerns over voice actors Robbie Daymond and Ray Chase, who set up their own games studio, tell BBC Newsbeat the arrangement allowed them to continue work on their debut release, Date Everything!The game features a cast of roughly 70 well-known performers who were able to work on the project thanks to the interim Robbie, who's appeared in Final Fantasy 15 and various anime series, says it has been a tough year for performers in the US."This was a long strike, and it has been heavily impactful for everybody involved," he says. Robbie says he is aware of people whose income took a hit in an industry where many performers do short stints on multiple projects."I just hope people understand that when a strike goes on this long and people are talking about how serious it is for them, that it has a real human impact," he says. Ray points out that voice actors had the option of taking work outside of video games, but the strike was especially hard for actors who specialise in motion capture."If you came out to Los Angeles to be a motion capture actor, then your entire existence is being threatened by AI," he says. "Those guys are heroes for sticking out this long."Ray also points out that the strike will have affected video game developers if they weren't able to hire actors as easily."Strikes are never easy on on workers. They're never easy on anybody," he says."We're just so happy that we've found a peaceful resolution, for sure." Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
Geek Girl Authority
04-06-2025
- Business
- Geek Girl Authority
TINY TINA'S WONDERLANDS and LIMBO Are Free in the Epic Games Store
Every week, the Epic Games Store gives away in-game loot and free game titles; all you have to do is remember to collect them. This week, go on a whimsical, action-packed journey in Tiny Tina's Wonderlands and traverse a dark, dangerous realm in Limbo . Tiny Tina's Wonderlands and Limbo Act quickly because these goods are only free via the Epic Games Store for a limited time. Epic Games is known for giving away free games every week. It's simple — all you have to do is log into your Epic Games account, download the launcher, and claim your weekly freebies. Check out the loot available this week and grab it now because it is only free for a limited time. RELATED: Need more free games? Check out F2P Friday Tiny Tina's Wonderlands Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is an action role-playing game and first-person shooter developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K. Party up and go on a whimsical fantasy tabletop-themed adventure helmed by Tiny Tina (Ashly Burch). Join Captain Valentine (Andy Samberg) and rules lawyer robot Frette (Wanda Sykes) as they band together to take down the villainous Dragon Lord. Create your ideal hero with deep character customization, including a multiclassing system featuring six different classes. Find, wield, and upgrade high-powered guns found along the way. Guns aren't the only firepower in your arsenal, as you can also discover and master a variety of spells like Inflammation. This cheeky, cute, and colorful Borderlands spin-off offers a unique combination of FPS and RPG gameplay. Play solo, on the couch with a friend, or join a party of up to three players online for chaotic co-op action. RELATED: Love mobile games? Check out our Mobile Game Monday adventures Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is free (a $59.99 value) in the Epic Games Store until June 5 at 10 am ET. Limbo Limbo (2010) is a puzzle platformer published and developed by Playdead. Play as an unnamed young boy as he navigates the dark and dangerous Limbo realm to save his sister. Avoid bear traps hidden in the inky forest floor and survive attacks from monsters lurking in shadowy corners. You will need to be clever to solve mechanical puzzles using machinery, magnets, and gravity. Developers at Playdead describe Limbo as a trial-and-death type of game. This means you will die repeatedly, but each death is meant to be a learning experience. Often, the boy's disturbing demise is gruesomely animated, but there is a gore filter for those who need it. RELATED: Game Review: Projected Dreams This critically acclaimed indie adventure is praised for its haunting atmosphere thanks to an eerie soundtrack and grayscale graphics. Limbo has won over 100 awards, including Kotaku 's Best Indie Game and IGN 's Best Horror Game. Limbo is free (a $9.99 value) in the Epic Games Store until June 5 at 10 am ET. June's Most Anticipated Video Games
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Apple's Mythic Quest spin-off Side Quest debuts on March 26
Side Quest, formerly called Mere Mortals, will premiere on March 26 on Apple TV+. It's the spin-off/expansion series for Mythic Quest, a comedy show on the streaming service about a video game studio developing an MMORPG of the same name. All four episodes of Side Quest will be available on the service on the same day the season four finale of Mythic Quest drops on the platform. Side Quest will revolve around the lives of the fictional studio's employees, as well as the players and fans impacted by the Mythic Quest game. The show will take on an anthology format, with a bunch of actors taking on leading roles for each installment. It was created by Mythic Quest writers Ashly Burch, John Howell Harris and Katie McElhenney, who also served as executive producers. Burch plays the character of Rachel in the original show. Charlie Day, Megan Ganz and Rob McElhenney, who created the Mythic Quest series, served as executive producers for the spin-off, as well. Lionsgate, 3 Arts Entertainment and Ubisoft produced the show for Apple TV+. In addition to announcing the show's premiere, Apple has also released the official trailer for the show, which gives you a pretty good idea of its tone and what you can expect if you watch it.
