negotiations Archives

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Instagram launches new video creation app Edits to rival TikTok

Meta has launched a new app called Edits, designed to simplify video creation and editing for smartphone users. The app allows users to craft and share videos across various social platforms, although it will not serve as a social media feed. Edits includes features like an "inspiration tab" for trending content and audio, as well as an "ideas" space to encourage creativity. The app aims to consolidate the video production process into a single platform, addressing the complexities of using multiple applications. This initiative follows Meta's previous efforts to adapt to changes in social media dynamics, including the launch of Threads in response to user dissatisfaction with Twitter's management.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

TikTok avoids a US ban for a second time thanks to Trump’s 75-day reprieve

TikTok has avoided a potential ban in the U.S. due to a 75-day extension granted by President Donald Trump, announced on April 4. This is the second extension for TikTok, which follows an initial deadline set to expire on April 5. The original law required a decision by January 19 regarding the sale of TikTok's U.S. operations or a nationwide ban, a deadline that has now been postponed twice. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, can continue operations without interruption, although negotiations between ByteDance and the U.S. government are ongoing, with unresolved key matters. The situation also involves U.S.-China tariff discussions, with Trump emphasizing the importance of tariffs for national security.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

Coach FC Dallas and More in These Top PC Soccer Games

Coaching FC Dallas in virtual soccer games is appealing to fans, with several notable PC titles available. 1. Football Manager 2024: A leading soccer management game where players can manage FC Dallas and other clubs, engaging in various managerial tasks. 2. Pixel Cup Soccer – Ultimate Edition: An isometric soccer game with multiplayer mode, though it does not allow management of FC Dallas. 3. EA FC 25: A popular soccer simulation game enabling players to join FC Dallas and compete in Major League Soccer, featuring a career mode and Ultimate Team. 4. Rocket League: A unique game combining soccer with vehicular gameplay, where players control cars to score goals. 5. eFootball: A rival to EA FC 25, allowing players to lead FC Dallas with authentic gameplay and various modes.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

ZeniMax union votes to strike

Members of the ZeniMax Workers United union have voted 94 percent in favor of authorizing strike action in ongoing negotiations with Microsoft. The union, established in January 2023, is advocating for fair wages and improved working conditions amid concerns about underpayment and rising living costs. Union members express a commitment to using their collective power to secure a first contract with Microsoft.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

SAG-AFTRA makes exception for student devs and game jams in 8-month videogame performance strike: ‘I’m thrilled that these types of projects can now be accommodated’

SAG-AFTRA has introduced new waivers, the Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement, allowing union actors to participate in student projects and game jams during its ongoing strike. The waivers aim to support both actors and emerging game developers while adhering to strike protocols. SAG-AFTRA has been on strike for eight months, primarily due to concerns over artificial intelligence and its impact on video game actors' careers. The strike has led to game studios recycling old voiceover clips, affecting new project developments.

AppWizard

March 18, 2025

Here’s why that Embracer Saudi deal fell through

Saber Interactive's CEO, Matt Karch, discussed the collapse of the deal between Embracer Group and Saudi Arabia's Savvy Gaming Group, which initially aimed to secure funding for Turok Dinosaur Hunter and Jurassic Park titles but expanded to include the entire Embracer Group. The potential investment exceeded a billion, and Karch suggested the deal should have remained smaller and more manageable to facilitate approvals. The failure of the deal led to heightened investor expectations and subsequent disappointment, resulting in cuts within Embracer.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

SAG-AFTRA union remains “frustratingly far apart” from publishers on AI

Ongoing negotiations between the SAG-AFTRA union and game publishers regarding the use of artificial intelligence in acting are facing significant challenges. SAG-AFTRA has made some progress but remains "frustratingly far apart" from a comprehensive agreement on AI-related issues since the strike initiated by its members in July 2024. Key issues include game publishers' desire to create digital replicas of actors' voices without consent, which raises concerns about performers' rights and potential exploitation. SAG-AFTRA opposes these proposals and has urged its members to stay informed about the gaps in protections for performers. Despite difficulties with the primary bargaining group, SAG-AFTRA has successfully secured interim agreements with over 160 games, yielding higher earnings than non-struck games and demonstrating that protective terms are acceptable to various game companies.

AppWizard

March 13, 2025

Signal no longer cooperating with Ukraine on Russian cyber threats, official says

The encrypted messaging app Signal has stopped responding to inquiries from Ukrainian law enforcement about Russian cyber threats, raising concerns that this inaction is aiding Russian intelligence operations. Ukrainian officials, including Serhii Demediuk from the National Security and Defense Council, claim that Signal's lack of engagement is allowing Russian actors to exploit the app for espionage against Ukrainian military and government personnel. Ukraine had previously communicated with Signal about misuse, but the app has not addressed these issues. In contrast, Ukrainians are increasingly using Signal as a safer alternative to Telegram, which has faced scrutiny for potential exploitation by Russian intelligence. Meanwhile, U.S.-Ukraine cooperation has been affected by changes in American foreign policy, including a freeze on U.S. foreign aid and a temporary halt in intelligence sharing, impacting Ukraine's cyber capabilities.

AppWizard

February 16, 2025

Saber Interactive’s head honcho pulled a wild stunt to nab the Halo: Combat Evolved remaster, telling Microsoft he’d do the job for free before ultimately squeezing the publisher for millions

Saber Interactive, led by CEO Matthew Karch, was invited to pitch for the remaster of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary while developing titles like Will Rock and Timeshift. Karch proposed to Microsoft that Saber would remaster the game at no cost, with the understanding of earning royalties post-launch in 2011. However, Microsoft included clauses in the contract that stripped Saber of these rights. Despite this, Saber went on to remaster Halo 2 and port Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to Xbox One. Before the release of The Master Chief Collection, Karch refused to sign the contract for the port work unless Microsoft reconsidered the royalty situation, which they ultimately did, leading to Saber receiving royalties estimated in the tens of millions of dollars. Saber was acquired by Embracer Group in 2020 and sold again in 2024 after layoffs and canceled projects, but has since launched Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, achieving acclaim.

AppWizard

February 8, 2025

If not via the App Store, here’s how to download TikTok on Android in the U.S.

TikTok has announced that Android users in the U.S. can download the app from its official website due to its absence from Google and Apple’s app stores, following a new U.S. law effective January 19 that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban. Despite the law, TikTok remains unavailable on both platforms, and President Trump has signed an executive order delaying enforcement by 75 days while discussions for a potential acquisition continue. TikTok has approximately 170 million users in the U.S. and has denied allegations regarding the misuse of user data, stating that data is stored securely in the U.S. on Oracle-operated cloud servers. Concerns about ByteDance's ownership persist, and while there is bipartisan support for a ban, free speech advocates argue it undermines digital rights. The future of TikTok in the U.S. is uncertain, with no confirmation from ByteDance about a potential sale.