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Showing posts with label video games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video games. Show all posts

Thursday, October 20, 2016

LAST DITCH EFFORT TO STOP SAG/AFTRA V. VIDEO GAME INDUSTY WAR.

Interactive Video Game Companies made a final offer to video game performers that included an immediate 9 percent wage hike if SAG-AFTRA union members ratify the offer by Dec. 1 as part of a Comprehensive Revised and Enhanced Final Package Proposal for a new three year contract. But the union is still scheduled to strike on Friday.
The Companies and SAG-AFTRA brought in a Federal Mediator Wednesday. "We had hoped this would be successful, but union leadership left mediation without providing a counteroffer. We urged union leaders to put the package to a vote of their membership, but union leaders refused," said Scott J. Witlin of the law firm of Barnes & Thornburg, the chief negotiator for the Companies.
The Companies' offer of an immediate 9 percent raise accelerates the 3 percent annual increase sought by SAG-AFTRA negotiators over a three-year period.
As an added component, the Companies also offered Additional Compensation to performers of up to $950 per game based upon the number of sessions a performer works on a particular game. This, too, is conditioned upon a Dec. 1 ratification by SAG-AFTRA members. Together with the wage hike, this package could increase overall compensation by up to 23 percent for typical sessions, and in some cases more.
"We improved our offer to demonstrate our willingness to reach a fair, mutually-beneficial agreement after 18 months of negotiations," Witlin added.
"We value our performers and their dedication," Witlin said. "The union has demanded a contingency fee based upon number of games sold or subscribers. Instead of that, we are offering to immediately reward the hard work of performers through this accelerated raise and Additional Compensation package."
In summary, if ratified by Dec. 1, the Comprehensive Revised and Enhanced Final Package Proposal would bring the typical 4-hour voice over session and on-camera day rate to $900 as well as providing the Additional Compensation of up to $950 per game depending upon the number of sessions worked.
SAG-AFTRA unilaterally announced on Sunday that it will begin a strike on Friday, Oct. 21. The Video Game Companies said they hoped an agreement would be reached, but want fans to know that the majority of upcoming games already in production will be unaffected by any SAG-AFTRA strike due to the nature of the "No Strike Provisions" of the collective bargaining agreement.
The parties largely reached agreement on other outstanding issues including vocal stress and stunt coordination and have made substantial progress on transparency, he said. "We appreciate the hard work SAG-AFTRA has put into studying workplace safety and vocal stress," Witlin added.
"We look forward to working with the performers and SAG-AFTRA to continue to explore ways to further enhance the working environment," he said. "Many of the Companies and people on our committee are the best evangelists for the use of SAG-AFTRA members in this industry. We hope SAG-AFTRA does not precipitously rush into a strike that will immediately and directly take money out of their members' pockets."

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

OLD SCHOOL ARCADING CAN EARN ONE: A TRIP TO LAS VEGAS + $1,000 GIFT CARD.


Denny's and Atari®, one of the world's most recognized publishers and producers of interactive entertainment, are upping the competition around the new remixed arcade games "Hashteroids" and "Centipup." Fans across the country are invited to fight for gaming supremacy and enter in the "Arcade Battle Royale" for the chance to win a trip to Las Vegas to compete in the ultimate gameplay contest.
Now through Sept. 11, fans may enter the contest using Denny's "Atari Remix" mobile game app, available for iPhone and Android devices. The two highest scorers of each game, challenged with flying hash browns and syrup bottle shooters, will win a three-day, two-night trip to Las Vegas to play in a head-to-head arcade battle on Sept. 23, as well as a $1,000 gift card. The grand prize winner of each diner battle will also take home an exclusive Atari game cabinet, customized with Denny's remixed mobile games so they can continue their quest to save the world, one Hashteroid at a time. 
"This summer was all about extending the fun beyond our menu with a modern spin on gameplay that both new and existing Atari fans could enjoy," said John Dillon, @DillonJohnW, vice president of marketing for Denny's. "Even though the season is coming to an end, we want to continue the celebration by challenging true gamers to compete in the ultimate arcade contest and crown the 'Arcade Battle Royale' champion!"
Those not in a gaming mood may still enjoy a taste of remixed classics with Denny's limited time "Greatest Hits Remixed" menu, featuring a selection of the diner's iconic dishes, including the new Red White and Blue Slam, Baja Moons Over My Hammy and Tuscan Super Bird, all with a delicious new twist.
For more information about Denny's Atari partnership or limited time "Greatest Hits Remixed" menu, please visit www.dennys.com.

Friday, June 04, 2010



CALL OF DUTY LANDS IN ZOMBIE LAND.

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zombies return to the "Death Swamp" in their relentless pursuit for brains today, as Activision Publishing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) and developer Treyarch released Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES II, an adaptation of the popular "Shi No Numa" map for the iPhone and iPod touch. Originally released as downloadable content for one of the most popular and played online games of 2009, Call of Duty: World at War, "Shi No Numa" gives players new characters, a massive new location, the deadly new Wunderwaffe DG-2, new traps, and the addition of Hellhounds to the attacking legions of Undead. This new app is available for $9.99 through the app store, but fans who own the original Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES can download "Shi No Numa" as an In-App Purchase for $4.99.


Named as one of iTunes Rewind's Best Apps of 2009, Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES faithfully delivers upon the experience of one of the most popular and played online games of 2009. The game offers limitless rounds of a single player experience in addition to intense co-op gameplay experience in full 3-D, allowing up to four players to join a game via Wi-Fi, locally or across the Internet, and up to two players via Bluetooth.


The original Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES and Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES II Apps, developed by Ideaworks Game Studio for the iPhone and iPod touch based on Treyarch's console version, are available for $9.99 from the App Store at www.itunes.com/appstore/. The "Verruckt" map, also developed by Ideaworks Game Studio, is available for $4.99 from the main menus of both Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES and Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES II.


For more information about Call of Duty: World at War, visit www.CoDWaW.com.


About Activision Publishing, Inc.


Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.


Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website, www.activision.com.


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing's expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Activision Publishing generally uses words such as "outlook," "will," "could," "would," "might," "remains," "to be," "plans," "believes," "may," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimate," future," "plan," "positioned," "potential," "project," "remain," "scheduled," "set to," "subject to," "upcoming" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Activision Publishing's titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision Publishing's ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms, declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision Publishing's products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, industry competition, rapid changes in technology, industry standards and consumer preferences, protection of proprietary rights, litigation against Activision Publishing, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, licensees, licensors, vendors and third-party developers, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, integration of recent acquisitions and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities, and the other factors identified in the risk factors section of Activision Blizzard's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Later.