SAG-AFTRA strike announcement includes Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

[Power Jusho 1,783]

On October 21st 2016, SAG-AFTRA, which represents the rights and safety of voice actors in the video game industry, announced that negotiations regarding an update to their Interactive Contract, established in 1994, have fallen through. In protest to this turn of events, SAG-AFTRA have announced that they are going on strike against various companies who currently have games which entered production after February 17th, 2015.

 

Disney Character Voices, Inc. was included in the list of companies being protested. In addition, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue was among the specific video games listed. This means that any actor who is part of the union and who is currently working on Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue must withdraw their services. SAG-AFTRA has also encouraged those who are not members of the union to participate, although their involvement in the protest is not mandatory. Due to the proximity of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue's release next year, it is unknown if this protest will have an impact on the game's voice acting and overall development. The official bulletin can be viewed here.

 

 

The strike will take place on Monday October 24th 2016, with SAG-AFTRA encouraging those who cannot attend to tweet or follow #performancematters in solidarity.

 

Do you think this strike will affect Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue or any future Kingdom Hearts titles? Let us know in the comments!

 

Click here to view the article

[Isamu Kuno 2,512]

I doubt it. Like you said 2.8 and KH3 where in development before the strike and it will likely be resolved long before any future games begin development.

[Guest]

Voice actors are far too under-appreciated in the video game industry. They deserve more credit than they're currently due. Let's hope that the outcome ends up being a positive and permanent one!

Edited October 24, 2016 by Guest

[Kingdomhe 1,362]

https://www.sagaftra.org/files/struck_video_game_productions_list.pdf

 

This could be bad, hopefully nothing bad happens. (Could you imagine 2.8 being delayed again. T_T )

Edited October 23, 2016 by Kingdomhe

[The 13th Kenpachi 4,279]

To anyone who doesn't know what SAG AFTRA is;

 

It's a trade union that protects journalists, voice actors and recording artists. If the company aren't paying them enough money, the union protects them and looks out for their best interests.Trade unions can be for many things.

 

Very recently SAG AFTRA went on strike against Video Game companies.

 

 

http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2016/10/22/498954253/voice-actors-strike-against-video-game-companies

 

I haven't read the full article, but I'll take an excerpt

 

""Let me hear the sound you'd make if you were slashed in half by a sword?" Hale asked NPR's Scott Simon. "How about you're struck in the heart by a bullet? How does your throat feel? ... I have friends who have had to have surgery because of the vocal stress they incurred in the session and they've been out of work for months."

https://www.sagaftra.org/files/struck_video_game_productions_list.pdf

 

This could be bad, hopefully nothing will happen. (Could you imagin 2.8 being delayed again. T_T )

Personally, I'm more concerned for people's jobs and careers than for the delay of a videogame.

Edited October 23, 2016 by Barry Bacon Allen

[Kingdomhe 1,362]

To anyone who doesn't know what SAG AFTRA is;

 

It's a trade union that protects journalists, voice actors and recording artists. If the company aren't paying them enough money, the union protects them and looks out for their best interests.

 

 

 

I'm more concerned for people's jobs and careers than for the delay of a videogame.

True, I'm concerned as well. I just hope they meet a good conclusion soon before both things are affect very badly (like the hostess strike).

Edited October 23, 2016 by Kingdomhe

[MythrilMagician 6,963]

To anyone who doesn't know what SAG AFTRA is;

 

It's a trade union that protects journalists, voice actors and recording artists. If the company aren't paying them enough money, the union protects them and looks out for their best interests.Trade unions can be for many things.

 

Very recently SAG AFTRA went on strike against Video Game companies.

 

 

http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2016/10/22/498954253/voice-actors-strike-against-video-game-companies

 

I haven't read the full article, but I'll take an excerpt

 

""Let me hear the sound you'd make if you were slashed in half by a sword?" Hale asked NPR's Scott Simon. "How about you're struck in the heart by a bullet? How does your throat feel? ... I have friends who have had to have surgery because of the vocal stress they incurred in the session and they've been out of work for months."

I'm more concerned for people's jobs and careers than for the delay of a videogame.

Way to sum it up in a nutshell mate. Haven't heard of SAG AFTRA, so that's a weird name for a union to me.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about a delay though. It's not very likely and even if it does get delayed it won't really matter as 2.8 is not that big of a deal compared to 3, and like Barry said, people's jobs are a higher concern with this happening.

[The 13th Kenpachi 4,279]

Way to sum it up in a nutshell mate. Haven't heard of SAG AFTRA, so that's a weird name for a union to me.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about a delay though. It's not very likely and even if it does get delayed it won't really matter as 2.8 is not that big of a deal compared to 3, and like Barry said, people's jobs are a higher concern with this happening.

I hit quota my man... Dark times.

 

I doubt it will be delayed again, I've never heard of Square Enix abusing their employees. Anyhow, just because voice actors from 2.8 go on strike, it doesn't mean that they are protesting against Square Enix-they could be defending others.

[2 quid is good 2,209]

https://www.sagaftra.org/files/struck_video_game_productions_list.pdf

 

This could be bad, hopefully nothing will happen. (Could you imagin 2.8 being delayed again. T_T )

I hope something does happen!

 

Anyway, it doesn't look to me like it's anything from Square's end, look at the sheer amount of Disney games and apps on that list! If Disney are screwing over their voice artists then they have every right to demand better conditions. Also, it's not a very stable industry to work in either, so I suppose the least that employers could do is pay a decent amount.

[MythrilMagician 6,963]

I hit quota my man... Dark times.

 

I doubt it will be delayed again, I've never heard of Square Enix abusing their employees. Anyhow, just because voice actors from 2.8 go on strike, it doesn't mean that they are protesting against Square Enix-they could be defending others.

 

Yeah, I don't think any Japanese company would. Hard work is highly regarded in their country. It could be a protest against Disney.

I hope something does happen!

 

Anyway, it doesn't look to me like it's anything from Square's end, look at the sheer amount of Disney games and apps on that list! If Disney are screwing over their voice artists then they have every right to demand better conditions. Also, it's not a very stable industry to work in either, so I suppose the least that employers could do is pay a decent amount.

Like Quid said, it's probably from Disney's side. 

[2 quid is good 2,209]

Here's an article with some more info, frankly, I don't know why they're doing stunts with less supervision than their actor counterparts

http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/10/17/voice-actors-strike-over-poorly-paid-death-gargles

[Kingdomhe 1,362]

I hope something does happen!

 

Anyway, it doesn't look to me like it's anything from Square's end, look at the sheer amount of Disney games and apps on that list! If Disney are screwing over their voice artists then they have every right to demand better conditions. Also, it's not a very stable industry to work in either, so I suppose the least that employers could do is pay a decent amount.

I was talking about bad stuff happening, like how the hostess strike was handled. 

[2 quid is good 2,209]

I was talking about bad stuff happening, like how the hostess strike was handled. 

I searched hostess strike up, but I'm not sure what I was looking for, something about bakers came up. Could you just tell me what happened in the hostess strike?

[WayfindersDestiny 172]

On October 21st 2016, SAG-AFTRA, which represents the rights and safety of voice actors in the video game industry, announced that negotiations regarding an update to their Interactive Contract, established in 1994, have fallen through. In protest to this turn of events, SAG-AFTRA have announced that they are going on strike against various companies who currently have games which entered production after February 17th, 2015.

 

Disney Character Voices, Inc. was included in the list of companies being protested. In addition, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue was among the specific video games listed. This means that any actor who is part of the union and who is currently working on Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue must withdraw their services. SAG-AFTRA has also encouraged those who are not members of the union to participate, although their involvement in the protest is not mandatory. Due to the proximity of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue's release next year, it is unknown if this protest will have an impact on the game's voice acting and overall development. The official bulletin can be viewed here.

 

 

 

The strike will take place on Monday October 24th 2016, with SAG-AFTRA encouraging those who cannot attend to tweet or follow #performancematters in solidarity.

 

Do you think this strike will affect Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue or any future Kingdom Hearts titles? Let us know in the comments!

 

Click here to view the article

[Guest]

I'm glad this is happening. Voice actors in the gaming industry are not being treated as actors, rather, as disposable vocal chords. I know that the Kingdom Hearts series has been an exception to this rule, however, if this results in video game voice actors getting a better outcome for their work then I'm in complete support of it!

 

 

This video by Jim Sterling really puts into perspective the lack of respect that voice actors get in the video game industry.

[Nero Kunivas 3,046]

Naturally, there are people more concerned about the game being delayed rather than the rights of Voice Actors being dismissed. I'd go into more detail, but frankly, I would only end up ranting and demeaning those who think that way.

 

Seriously, the negotiators had the nerve to say that "no one cares about the voice"...just how out of touch can someone get with reality? You merely have to look at say, Tara Strong's Twitter Feed for more than a few seconds just to see the considerable amount of love and appreciation she receives for the voices she provides.

 

As someone who is an aspiring Voice Actor, I can say this with full confidence: The voice matters and you damn well know it.

 

#performancematters

[Sendou Aichi 2,356]

Naturally, there are people more concerned about the game being delayed rather than the rights of Voice Actors being dismissed. I'd go into more detail, but frankly, I would only end up ranting and demeaning those who think that way.

 

Seriously, the negotiators had the nerve to say that "no one cares about the voice"...just how out of touch can someone get with reality? You merely have to look at say, Tara Strong's Twitter Feed for more than a few seconds just to see the considerable amount of love and appreciation she receives for the voices she provides.

 

As someone who is an aspiring Voice Actor, I can say this with full confidence: The voice matters and you damn well know it.

 

#performancematters

Yeah, some people say everyone can do it.

If that will happen, then I am afraid this game's English dub won't be the only one with a dub so bad...

[Raxaimus 300]

I just want to give immense thanks to all of you who are posting explanations and generating discussion. This is a big issue regardless of KH2.8, and could affect the future of the industry and many, many careers. I just hope things work out for the best regarding members of SAG-AFTRA.

[Nero Kunivas 3,046]

I just want to give immense thanks to all of you who are posting explanations and generating discussion. This is a big issue regardless of KH2.8, and could affect the future of the industry and many, many careers. I just hope things work out for the best regarding members of SAG-AFTRA.

I'd like to give personal thanks to the Social Media and News Team for drawing attention to this event in the first place.

[Raxaimus 300]

I'd like to give personal thanks to the Social Media and News Team for drawing attention to this event in the first place.

 

Thank you so much! We agonized over how to tackle this issue in a manner that was both comprehensive and easy for a layman to understand. This was very much a team effort, and we're all happy to have each other to figure this stuff out.

[Soul_Seeker 753]

I'm fairly certain this will have a limited effect on 2.8's release. As far as I know, Willa Holland (Aqua's VA) is not a member of SAG-AFTRA, so she's not on strike. This means they keep their main character's voice. The majority of 0.2 takes place in the Realm of Darkness, and I doubt there are many other characters in there besides hallucinations like Terra and Ventus.

 

I do know that Benjamin Diskin, Young Xehanort's voice actor, is a member of SAG-AFTRA. This probably means little, though, unless we get a secret ending involving him at the end of 2.8's story. True, he's in DDD but they can easily rip his lines like they did with Sora for the E3 2015 KH3 trailer.

 

That being said, I'm glad this is happening as the health of employees is far more important than a video game. Sometimes I wonder how much people want KH3 when I look at YouTube comment sections. lol

Edited October 23, 2016 by Rocketboy

[Raxaimus 300]

That being said, I'm glad this is happening as the health of employees is far more important than a video game. Sometimes I wonder how much people want KH3 when I look at YouTube comment sections. lol

 

Come on, man, we all know YouTube comments aren't the best metric for a reasonable fanbase. Any fan worth their salt would look at the long-term situation and put the continuation of a company or the industry as a whole above the release of a single video game. That could just be my optimism speaking in the face of an impatient, childish majority, but I sincerely hope that isn't the case.

Edited October 23, 2016 by Raxaimus

[Nero Kunivas 3,046]

Come on, man, we all know YouTube comments aren't the best metric for a reasonable fanbase. Any fan worth their salt would look at the long-term situation and put the continuation of a company or the industry as a whole above the release of a single video game. That could just be my optimism speaking in the face of an impatient, childish majority, but I sincerely hope that isn't the case.

I call that being real, not optimistic. There are a lot of childish, impatient and idiotic fans in the KH Fanbase, as there are in pretty much any existing fanbase. However, the majority are reasonable people that recognise they have lives to live outside the game.

 

(I would hope that is the case, else Humanity is worrying. )

[Soul_Seeker 753]

Come on, man, we all know YouTube comments aren't the best metric for a reasonable fanbase. Any fan worth their salt would look at the long-term situation and put the continuation of a company or the industry as a whole above the release of a single video game. That could just be my optimism speaking in the face of an impatient, childish majority, but I sincerely hope that isn't the case.

 

I never stated I was measuring the fanbase by a YouTube comments section. I was referring to the amount of desperation and begging I usually see for KH3 there.

[Raxaimus 300]

I never stated I was measuring the fanbase by a YouTube comments section. I was referring to the amount of desperation and begging I usually see for KH3 there.

 

Oh, well if we're measuring sheer desperation, then you're completely right. Some people can go absolutely nuts with their lines of thought when it comes to KH3. "Waiting 10 years" comes to mind immediately, especially when contrasted against the greater scope of the franchise.