SAG-AFTRA “50/50, If Not More Likely” To Strike Against Video Game Companies Soon, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland Says

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher called out the misogyny that dogged her in strike negotiations and coverage, saying it was “disgusting.” She’s opined on that before but remarks today met a particularly receptive audience at the annual gala of New York Women In Film & Television where she was honored.  

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Advertisers plan to increase spend on in-video-game advertising by 40% this year, according to a new study, with total ad spend set to reach $8.5 billion in 2024 and increase to $11.5 billion by 2027. In IAB‘s “Changing the Game: How Games Advertising Powers Performance” report, which was revealed Tuesday, 86% of advertisers surveyed said gaming ad spend is “brand safe” and 85% are confident in their ability to measure the reach of games advertising.

Migraine sufferers are more likely to have a stroke, especially if they're under 35, according to a new study.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer A video game based on HBO’s dark teen drama “Euphoria” is a key suggestion from this year’s edition of Fandom‘s Inside Entertainment study, which highlights the “entertainment and gaming tug of war.” Per the user-contented-centric entertainment platform’s 2024 survey, which was released Monday, drama is potentially the top “untapped” genre for gaming companies, as drama fans who play video games prefer these genres: role-playing (RPG): 73%, adventure: 72%, simulation: 62%, sandbox/open world: 62%, puzzle: 60%. “What do we know about ‘Euphoria’ and why was it such a big hit? Obviously, you have an amazing cast, storyline — but what is the story? And it was a really interesting take on the genre at the time, because if you think about the other shows that were coming out, they are a lot more positive than ‘Euphoria,'” Fandom’s director of sales research and insights Ally Saraniti told Variety.

EXCLUSIVE: The fallout from KMR Talent’s growing problems with client payment that culminated with the agency on Friday suspending its SAG-AFTRA franchise, continues.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer SAG-AFTRA announced Friday that members have ratified new three-year contracts for voice actors who work on animated TV shows. The deals addressed the same concerns that fueled last year’s 118-day actors’ strike, notably artificial intelligence, which many actors fear will replace their jobs. As with the live-action agreement, the animation deals do not forbid the use of AI.

EXCLUSIVE: The KMR talent agency, which has been grappling with “talent payment breakdown,” has suspended its franchise with SAG-AFTRA. KMR owner and President Mark Measures today sent a letter to the guild, informing them of the decision.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Comedian Hasan Minhaj, currently touring with a new show recounting the year he just experienced, is set to headline the 10th edition of the SeriesFest event this May in Denver. This year’s SeriesFest, an annual event focused on “championing emerging and underserved voices in episodic storytelling” (aka TV), is also set to honor Shonda Rhimes’ and Betsy Beers‘ Shondaland shingle, as well as Minnie Driver and SAG-AFTRA.

Katcy Stephan SPOILER ALERT: This review discusses minor plot details and gameplay elements from “Rise of the Ronin.” “Rise of the Ronin,” the latest release from “Nioh” developer Team Ninja, is one of the most highly-anticipated game releases of the year, promising a high-octane role-playing story combining eastern and western combat styles. From its announcement, “Rise of the Ronin” drew inevitable comparisons to Sucker Punch’s critically-acclaimed 2020 release “Ghost of Tsushima.” It’s understandable: although “Ronin” takes place about 600 years after “Ghost,” both follow samurai warriors in Japan as they swing their swords in an action-adventure open world.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer A Marvel video game, “1943: Rise of Hydra,” is set for 2025 release. The title, which hails from Skydance New Media and Marvel Games, will focus on characters Captain America and Black Panther (who at that time was King T’Chanda, also known as Azzuri) in World War II.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer When this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) kicks off Monday at the Moscone Center in San Fransisco, one topic is sure to be hanging over those in attendance at the five-day event: who has a job and who doesn’t — and who might still lose theirs soon. Rather than sweep the uncomfortable subject of the thousands of layoffs that have hit the video game industry recently under the rug, GDC leadership has specifically tailored GDC 2024’s programming lineup to address the issue head on and offer assistance to the out-of-work attendees looking to make the most out of participating in the 38th annual conference while unemployed.

New Regency and Ubisoft Entertainment are teaming up for a live-action feature film based on the action-focused tactical hacker video game, “Watch Dogs.” The studio previously landed French director Mathieu Turi (“Meander“) and has chosen the first actor to lead the video game adaptation. Deadline reports that young Aussie actress Sophie Wilde has joined the project.  If you’re not familiar with the original ambitious video game, below is the official logline via Ubisoft’s website as a refresher:  You play as Aiden Pearce, a brilliant hacker and former thug whose criminal past led to a violent family tragedy.

Will Hollywood experience another actors strike in the coming months?

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Issues around the use of AI in the production process is the big sticking point in SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations with the largest video game companies, SAG-AFTRA chief Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said Saturday during a wide-ranging Q&A at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Crabtree-Ireland, who is national executive director and chief negotiator of the performers union, said he put the chances of union members striking against key game companies is “50-50, or more likely than that we will go on strike in the next four to six weeks because of our inability to get past these issues,” Crabtree-Ireland told Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company, during a conversation focused on AI.

EXCLUSIVE: Altitude Media Group has boarded a documentary shot entirely inside the Grand Theft Auto video game world.

Rest easy, “Fallout” fans: Prime Video‘s adaptation of the long-running video game series arrives next month. But to tide them over, the streamer has an all-new first trailer for the show, which adapts the game’s premise to an eight-episode set-up.

LE SSERAFIM have dropped the official music video for ‘Smart’, a cut from their latest mini-album ‘Easy’.LE SSERAFIM’s label, Source Music, released the new visual last night (March 5) on the HYBE Labels YouTube channel, marking the second track off the ‘Easy’ record to receive a video treatment following its title track.The ‘Smart’ music video features the quintet performing the song’s accompanying choreography in the middle of a large, empty warehouse adorned with numerous large tapestries of art hung from the ceiling and on the walls.“So that’s me-me-me-me-me / I’ll show you, see-see-see-see-see / LE SSERAFIM, leading me to victory,” they sing in the chorus. “I’m a smartеr baby, smarter / Smarter baby, smarter / Whеn I look at someone, up to ten / I see through and break through.”‘Smart’ was originally released on the girl group’s third mini-album ‘Easy’, which dropped on February 19 and was led by a single of the same name.

Marc Malkin Senior Editor, Culture and Events Getting Hugh Jackman to reprise his role as Wolverine in the third “Deadpool” movie had been in the works long before Ryan Reynolds made the official announcement. In fact, Karan Soni, who plays Dopinder in all three movies, says he wasn’t shocked when Jackman joined franchise. “When we were making the second one, Ryan was plotting back then,” Soni told me Monday at the South Asians at the Oscar party on the Paramount lot.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are known for their frequent hand-holding - a clear departure from the usual formality seen in Royal relationships. While there's no official Royal rule against it, Prince William and Kate Middleton are rarely seen holding hands or showing public affection.

SAG-AFTRA is sending its latest TV animation agreement to its members for a vote.