SAG-AFTRA Proposes Expanding Video Game Contract to Cover $15M-$30M Indie Projects

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Gamers can return to the “Cozy Grove” universe this week with the launch of sequel game, “Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit.” The new titled, which launched Tuesday, is a mobile-only game exclusive to Netflix, which acquired “Cozy Grove” developer Spry Fox as an in-house studio in October 2022, differentiating it from its predecessor, which was released on Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch (arguably the most-chosen platform for the game’s players), Xbox, PlayStation and PC in 2021. But Spry Fox co-founder and studio director David Edery tells Variety that making the game for Netflix didn’t affect the title as much as fans of other platforms would first assume.

It’s official: Sony Pictures will have “Street Fighter” be back in theaters in a couple of years, but without the Philippou brothers at the helm. THR reports that the studio plans to have a new movie based on the Capcom video game franchise ready for a March 20, 2026 theatrical release.  Legendary co-develops the film, with Capcom on board as producer.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Amazon Games has been quiet for the past few years. So quiet you might not have even known Amazon was working on video games, especially compared to the amount of marketing Netflix’s gaming division is putting behind all its titles.

For many superhero fans, the best version of a TV series or film based on a comic book is none other than “Batman: The Animated Series” from the ‘90s. That series blew the minds of kids and adults alike by taking the source material seriously and presenting some of the best storytelling you’ll ever see involving capes and cowls.

K-pop singer Chuu has returned with her second mini-album and its title track ‘Strawberry Rush’.In the new visual, Chuu enters the world of a video game, where she runs on walls and shoots her way through hordes of colourful enemies as she chases down a golden trophy. Her pursuit takes her into space, where she races along a rainbow road and eventually back to earth to claim her prize.“Can’t get enough, that strawberry rush / I’ll rush over to you and keep you safe / In lightning speed, crushin’ ya, crushin’ ya, crushin’ ya / Find your bravery, woo,” she sings in the upbeat chorus.

SAG-AFTRA has named the recipients of the George Heller Memorial Award gold cards, which recognize contributions to the guild and its members.

pulled over pop superstar Justin Timberlake for alleged drunk driving is well-known in the ritzy town, according to a report. Officer Michael Arkinson, who turns 24 this month, stopped the “SexyBack” singer Tuesday morning after allegedly seeing him blow a stop sign and swerve in the right lane. In just three months on the force, Arkinson has earned a reputation among Sag Harbor’s wealthy residents, earning nicknames like “the Sag Harbor Nazi” and “little red-headed dips–t” for his strict enforcement of traffic laws.Despite Timberlake’s global fame, Arkinson, who wasn’t even born when Timberlake joined NSync in 1995, had no clue who he was dealing with.

allegedly enjoying a boozy evening with friends at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, LI, reportedly told cops he had only downed one martini before climbing behind the wheel.As the internet’s rumor mill churned with speculations after the release of Timberlake’s now-viral mugshot, some fans couldn’t help but wonder: how did the Sag Harbor Police Department get such good lighting? The lighting in the bright, crisp image — a far cry from the dull, grainy celebrity mugshots of yore — puts the infamous Alix Earle selfie light to shame, leaving the internet reeling as users likened the superb lighting and quality of the portrait to a magazine cover shoot.The Sag Harbor Police Department told The Post that the capture station is, contrary to popular belief, quite simple, involving only a government-issued Canon camera tethered to the agency’s booking computer. In other words, they didn’t give Timberlake special treatment just because of his status.Online, however, fans ogled over the flashy mug.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Microsoft Gaming is taking a victory lap after an impressive Xbox Games Showcase presentation at the David Geffen Theater in Los Angeles on June 9, which was anchored by the reveal of “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6,” followed by major announcements across all of Xbox’s studios, including Bethesda, Activision and Blizzard, as well as collaborations with third-party developers. Xbox president of gaming content and studios Matt Booty sat down with Jennifer Maas, Variety senior business writer of TV and video games, to discuss highlights from this year’s presentation, the inner workings of Xbox post-Activision Blizzard, and more for Variety’s “Strictly Business” podcast.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer SPOILER ALERT: This interview contains spoilers from the Season 10 finale of “Jet Lag: The Game,” now streaming on Nebula. “Jet Lag: The Game” dropped its Season 10 finale Wednesday on Nebula, featuring the epic conclusion to the Down Under saga of the travel game show and the presentation of a cartoon-kangaroo-balloon-shaped trophy to either Adam Chase and Ben Doyle or Sam Denby and two-time guest player Toby Hendy.

This didn’t age well!

Despite some bloodshot eyes, we should all be so lucky to look like Justin Timberlake‘s mug shot.

Some sad news today about the fate of the “Street Fighter” film. Apparently, the high-profile video game adaptation is losing its directors, who are some of the most interesting young filmmakers working today.

Singer Justin Timberlake has been arrested for driving while intoxicated in the affluent Hamptons area village of Sag Harbor, Long Island.

He also has shows scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Chicago’s United Center.Reps for Timberlake did not immediately respond to request for comment.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Paranormal Activity, The Purge, and Whiplash, has announced that it is stepping into the world of video games with six new indie titles.The creators of Immortality will be working on Project C. There’s also a Stardew Valleyesque farming sim where one of the townsfolk is a serial killer, Grave Seasons.

A new £130 million Eden Project in Dundee has officially been given the green light. Councillors met in the City of Discovery last night to approve the planning application at the old gas works on East Dock Street, less than a mile away from V&A Dundee.

EXCLUSIVE: Kiana Madeira (Fear Street trilogy) is making her first leap into producing as executive producer and star of Baby Love, an indie fighter drama marking the feature debut of writer-director Joseph Marconi.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer This is not a joke: CollegeHumor wants your Emmy vote. Actually, just over two months after the internet comedy company, which rebranded as Dropout last year, sold out a 17,000-seat live performance set for January 2025 at Madison Square Garden, that proposition might not seem as funny anymore.

Prime Video‘s Blade Runner 2099 has another lead. THR reports that “Euphoria” star Hunter Schafer joins Michelle Yeoh on the cast list of the upcoming limited series.