BGM Daily Download DLC - 1 November 2024
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This week’s biggest stories include SAG-AFTRA’s agreement with AI voice company Ethovox, PlayStation closing Concord developer Firewalk, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard setting Steam records for EA.?
Earlier this year, the Video Game History Foundation argued the case for a DMCA exemption that would let researchers remotely access out-of-print games in libraries and archives. Last Friday, the VGHF released a statement stating that the US Copyright Office officially denied the exemption. While the foundation is disappointed by the decision, it stated that it had no regrets about going through the process and will continue to fight for greater access and legal allowances for video game preservation.?
SAG-AFTRA has signed a contract with AI voice company Ethovox to make sure performers are protected and fairly compensated for their voice being used in its foundational voice model. Ethovox states that its model will not be user-facing, and the voices provided will not be identifiable in any speech generated. SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland explained the agreement by saying safeguarding voice actors in the age of AI requires more contractual protection, not less.
Sony has confirmed that Firewalk Studios, the developer of Concord, will be permanently closed, as will mobile game developer Neon Koi. Sony announced plans to take Concord offline, pull the game from sale, and offer refunds to all players who bought it just two weeks after it launched in August, citing a poor reception from players. At the time, Sony said it would explore the possibility of bringing the game back in a revised form. However, in Tuesday’s statement, PlayStation co-CEO Hermen Hulst confirmed the company had decided not to move forward with the title.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has become the biggest launch in the franchise’s history, breaking records for day one players and Game Pass subscribers. The first Activision title to launch day-and-date on Game Pass, the game also saw unit sales on PlayStation and Steam increase 60% year-on-year. Black Ops 6 will likely also lead October’s Circana (formerly NPD) sales chart and, based on its current trajectory, looks set to become 2024’s best-selling game.
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Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s launch has already become EA’s most successful single-player game ever on Steam, hitting a peak of just over 70,000 players, a number that is sure to rise once the weekend hits. The latest entry in the acclaimed Dragon Age series has been hailed by many as a return to form for Bioware and sits at a strong 84 on Metacritic.
Alongside this week's highlights, here are some other notable stories from the world of video games.
Monday 28th October
Tuesday 29th October
Wednesday 30th October
Thursday 31st October
Friday 1st November
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