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Video game voice actors gain bonus payments with new contract
Members of SAG-AFTRA have voted overwhelmingly to approve a new video game contact that grants performers bonus payments. The deal comes just over a month after the gaming industry's voice talent agreed to suspend one of the longest strikes in US history. Launched against 11 major game publishers (including EA and WB Games) on October 21st 2016, the strike lasted 340 days in total. Now that the trade union's board has given the proposal the thumbs up, the strike is officially over.
Video game voice actors reach deal to end almost year-long strike
SAG-AFTRA has reached a "tentative agreement" with leading video games publishers to end its strike. After months of debate, and rejected deals, voice artists began striking on October 21st. Along the way, they also carried out picketing campaigns against Electronic Arts, WB Games, and other firms. Now, 340 days down the line, the strike could finally be coming to a halt. The new agreement (which still needs to be approved by the labor union's board of directors) includes bonus pay relating to the amount of sessions a performer works on a game. The payments start at $75 for the first session and max out at $2,100 for ten sessions.
Video game voice actors will strike after rejecting pay raise
The video game industry has made an offer to the SAG-AFTRA-represented video game voice actors, but the union won't put it to a vote in front of its members. Interactive Video Game Companies (VGC; the group representing the game industry) offered a nine percent raise that "accelerates the 3 percent annual increase sought by SAG-AFTRA negotiators over a three-year period" according to a statement. The publishers also have offered up to $950 more per game depending on how many voice sessions an actor does. The VGC's offer would raise day-rate for a four hour recording or on-camera session to $900.
Video game voice actors push for standardized contracts
In the midst of a protracted squabble, the union representing voice actors has come up with a contract for low-budget indie game developers. SAG-AFTRA is promoting a new agreement for titles under $250,000 that would limit difficult vocal sessions (presumably involving yelling or other vocal gymnastics) to two hours. Actors would also be paid double for such work, and collect residuals above the normal rate ($825.50 for four hours) for games that sell 500,000 units or more.
'Gears of War 4' stars 'Dragon Ball Z,' 'Spartacus' actors
Gears of War 4 is set 25 years after the events of Gears of War 3, and its story stars JD Fenix, the son of long-time series protagonist Marcus Fenix, Game Informer reports. He's joined by Kait Diaz, a survivalist who grew up outside of JD's walled-off world, and Delmont "Del" Walker, one of JD's best friends from boarding school and the army. After a mysterious military incident, Del and JD find themselves in the wild -- in Kait's territory, in fact -- and that's where the game kicks off. But, it's not going to go very far without a handful of talented voice actors.
The Starcraft 2 petition
So I wandered over to Blizzplanet this morning to check out what new information they might have, about the Wrath of the Lich King, about the upcoming patches, really anything of interest. Now, I only recently got into the Starcraft universe, really since the announcement about a sequel being in development. It was at that time that I decided to pick up a copy of the game and see what it was all about. RTS had never been my genre, but I am really enjoying the game for multiple reasons. So when I saw the petition listed on Blizzplanet, I was intrigued.In Starcraft2, Blizzard's new addition to the genre, there are many things that have reappeared. Characters we know and love are back, albeit with some updates. The most notable change in the characters aside of their appearance is their voices. Evidently Blizzard has decided to go with new voice actors for this project, which leaves diehard Starcraft fans feeling disjointed and more than a little irritated. Thus Blizzplanet has put together a petition, and no it's not to bring back the Firebat. The petition is to let Blizzard know how much the players of Starcraft want to hear the same voice acting in Starcraft 2. The voice work in Starcraft was particularly brilliant, and was a huge part of what gave the game its personality. They ask that Blizzard work with the people that brought that magic to the first game. It really isn't a lot to ask, it just requires a change in Blizzard strategy. Will it work? Sign the petition and find out.
Star Ocean remakes to feature extensive voice work
The newly unveiled Star Ocean remakes are getting a significant (and chatty) rehaul. According to GameSpot, these remakes will feature significant new content. Producer Yoshinori Yamagishi intends on making "the remake[s] to feel as though they're completely new games." According to the game's voice actors, they haven't been able to record dialog yet, because the scripts aren't finished yet -- tons of new scenarios and characters are being added to the game. For those interested, the Japanese vocal cast has been announced: Star Ocean: First Departure Ratix Farrence - Mamoru Miyano Milly Kiliet - Hitomi Nabatame Marvel Frozen - Houko Kuwashima Fear Mell - Megumi Toyoguchi Star Ocean: Second Evolution Claude C. Kenni - Daisuke Namikawa Rena Lanford - Nana Mizuki Dias Flac - Tomokazu Sugita Precis F. Neumann - Rie Kugimiya
Original Transformers actors to voice movie game
Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith) may be playing the voice of Megatron in Micheal Bay's upcoming Transformers film adaptation, but he won't voice him in the game. Normally a cast change for a movie-based game is a bad thing, but this change may actually please fans. Frank Welker, who voiced Megatron in the original animated series will reprise the role for the game. This means that the game will have the original voices for both Optimus Prime and Megatron. Activision has said that the reason for the voice change was to please Transformers fans. While I don't doubt that motive, I'm sure they saved a few pennies by using Welker instead of Weaving. [Via Gamespot]
Marcus Fenix is Bender, Bender is Marcus Fenix
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Marcus_Fenix_is_Bender_Bender_is_Marcus_Fenix'; Gears of War's protagonist Marcus Fenix is voiced by John Di Maggio, the same actor who voiced Bender in the television series Futurama. Aside from the hilarity of the two characters sounding completely different, it's great when an actor can pull off the "I would have never guessed that unless I read the credits" situation. Some readers may be old enough to remember the shock when you found out that Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker in Star Wars) was the voice of The Joker on Batman: The Animated Series. Some other random trivia is Courtenay Taylor, who played lesbian Jedi Juhani in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, was also the voice of those naughty twins from the beginning of God of War, numerous female characters in Everquest II and the voice of Wonder Woman in Justice League Heroes.Searching through IMDB.com for your favorite games will unleash a treasure trove of voice actors you recognize from many different games and shows. If you are an anime fan, put in your favorite show and most of those actors are recognizable for their voice talents in many video games as well.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children reports from Hollywood
For the Final Fantasy fans lucky enough to be near Hollywood yesterday night -- and in line for free tickets during the middle of a regular workday -- there was much rejoicing to be had as Advent Children celebrated its U.S. theatrical premiere in style.Siliconera has a write-up on the event with quotes from most of the American voice actors in attendance, who, along with the audience at hand, watched the film in English for the very first time. Lip synching may have been off due to the low-resolution print the actors had to work with, but even Rachel Leigh Cook -- pictured here with her character Tifa Lockheart -- declared herself a new fan of Final Fantasy after the show.Helpful Joystiq Contributor epobirs also had something to report from the screening yesterday, where he gives us an Ain't-It-Cool style rundown of the event. If you want the rest of his reflections on the requirements of the Academy in Oscar nominations, as well as what it takes to "assert your hetero nature ... after watching a movie packed with metrosexual men," simply continue reading below for more. Siliconera's report can be found by clicking on the image of Ms. Cook above or the Read link below. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children will be out on DVD/UMD April 25th.[Thanks, epobirs; image of Tifa courtesy of Eyes on Final Fantasy]
