Ask anyone that has a PSVR2 and they’ll likely tell you that the tech is great, but the library is lacking. Outside of No Man's Sky or Resident Evil Village, there are very few games that truly revel in the format of VR. However, a recent visit to Vertigo Games’ HQ in Rotterdam proved that VR is in the blood of the developer’s upcoming title Arizona Sunshine 2. After going hands-on with a PC build of the game, we were left dying for the full release of what could be PSVR2's next must-buy. For those out of the know, Arizona Sunshine is a VR zombie shooter that launched back in 2016 on the PSVR. Featuring a sun-bleached post-apocalypse, a Zombieland irreverence, and a penchant for over-the-top gore, it quickly accumulated a cult following. Fans of the first game will be glad to know that seven years and a whole VR generation later, all the hallmarks of Arizona Sunshine are present in its sequel — along with some massive improvements.
A Video Game Actors Strike Could Happen Following Union Vote for Action | Push Square
28.09.2023 - 00:04 / pushsquare.com / Fran Drescher
The actors union group SAG-AFTRA has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a potential strike against the games industry. Members were nearly unanimous, with 98.32 per cent of the vote being in favour of a strike — if a strike is necessary.
SAG-AFTRA's vote for a strike is in relation to the Interactive Media Agreement, which essentially covers members' work in video games. The organisation has been in negotiations with many major publishers and production teams on issues such as insufficient pay, AI concerns, and safety precautions.
The vote doesn't necessarily mean a strike will happen — it basically just means that the union's members are ready to authorise a strike if the industry's big players continue not to budge on the organisation's terms. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for 26th to 28th September. SAG-AFTRA is hoping the vote in favour of a strike will help to move things along.
«It’s time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract,» says SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. «The result of this vote shows our membership understands the existential nature of these negotiations, and that the time is now for these companies — which are making billions of dollars and paying their CEOs lavishly — to give our performers an agreement that keeps performing in video games as a viable career.»
Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez notes that those acting in video games are facing «many of the same issues as those who work in film and television». SAG-AFTRA has been actively striking against Hollywood to fight for fair employment terms for its members, battling against similar issues regarding payment and exploitative uses of AI.
So, a strike isn't happening yet, but it's well within the realm of possibility. There are many notable companies SAG-AFTRA is currently negotiating with — it lists Activision Productions Inc, Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Epic Games, Take 2 Productions Inc., VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc. If you're unfamiliar, VGC notes Blindlight has contributed acting work to the likes of The Elder Scrolls, Destiny, and Fallout, while Formosa has helped on Call of Duty, as well as many PS Studios games like God of War and The Last of Us Part II. Should a strike happen, it would disrupt production on a lot of major games currently in the works.
«This strike authorization makes an emphatic statement that we must reach an agreement that will fairly compensate these talented performers, provide common-sense safety measures, and allow them to work with dignity,» Rodriguez says. «Our members’ livelihoods depend
PS5 Game Empire of the Ants Will Be Riddled with Bugs | Push Square
Empire of the Ants is certainly not a game we expected to be announced for the PS5, but now we’ve seen it in action, we’re intrigued. The Microids outing – officially due out in 2024 – promises to take you on an “extraordinary journey through the infinitesimally small” as you “guide your colony towards a brighter future”.
Obituary: Ken Lally, video game actor, passed away at age 52
Video game voice actor Ken Lally has died at the age of 52 on Tuesday, October 10. At time of writing, the circumstances of his passing haven't been revealed, but it was confirmed by actor Eva La Dare, who worked with him on Capcom's Resident Evil 5.
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PSVR2's Stylish Sword Fighter Tiger Blade Dated for November | Push Square
As part of today's splash of PSVR2 news from Sony, it's been confirmed Tiger Blade will launch for the headset on 17th November 2023. Catch the trailer above to see this flashy, stylish game in action, complete with colourful sword fighting and gunplay in an alternate take on Korea.
Another High Profile Live Service Flop As SEGA Pulls the Plug on HYENAS Before Launch | Push Square
The live service business model is a tough cookie to crack, but every major publisher is giving it a go. We’re already very familiar with some of these titles shutting down after just a few months of support, but SEGA has pulled the plug on Creative Assembly’s HYENAS before it could even make it to launch. The cancellation has been unceremoniously confirmed in the minutes of a board of directors meeting.
Cyberpunk 2077 2.0: Best Character Builds for V | Push Square
Looking for Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 character builds to help kickstart your imagination? Well you've come to the right place for the best 2.0 character builds for V. For this Cyberpunk 2077 guide, we've come up with a number of effective character builds that appeal to all styles of play, based on the new skill trees that were implemented via Update 2.0 (released on the 21st September, 2023).
Persona 3 Reload Confirms All-New Story Scenes and Character Interactions | Push Square
It was hinted at in the game's latest trailer, but now it's been confirmed through an official press release: Persona 3 Reload will feature all-new story scenes and additional character interactions. Overall, the remake will obviously stick to the original plot, but it sounds like Atlus has taken this opportunity to expand upon all sorts of stuff, such as Strega — the antagonist group.
HoYoverse's Action RPG Zenless Zone Zero Confirmed for Consoles | Push Square
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Massive PS Store Sale Wants You to Play PS5, PS4 for Longer | Push Square
A massive new PS Store sale spanning over 1,500 items is live around the world right now, with the focus on extended play. The emphasis appears to be on Digital Deluxe and Ultimate Editions of popular titles – so, in other words, you’re getting the most comprehensive bundles of fairly big games at a discounted rate.
SAG-AFTRA Members Vote Yes To Authorize Video Game Strike
SAG-AFTRA union members have voted yes to authorize a video game strike. It did so with a 98.72% vote in favor of authorizing a strike on the Interactive Media Agreement that covers its members' work in the games industry. In total, 34,687 members cast ballots, which represents 27.47% of eligible voters, SAG-AFTRA writes in a press release.
Voice actors vote overwhelmingly to approve a strike: 'It’s time for the videogame companies to stop playing games'
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors, broadcast journalists, hosts, voice actors, and other media professionals in the US, has voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike against videogame companies including Activision, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, and Take-Two Interactive. The vote does not mean that a strike will be called, but the union hopes it will provide «added leverage» in its negotiations for a new Interactive Media Agreement.