Ionart Studio Ltd. Rebrands as Ionart Studios as it Eyes Expansion
Budapest-based full-service animation and VFX company set sights on expanded global identity; LA-based VFX professional Mark Nazal will lead the studio’s North American efforts.
Category: Games
‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Adds Four New Cast Members
HBO’s award-winning live-action adaptation of the hit Naughty Dog videogame brings on Danny Ramirez as loyal soldier Manny; Ariela Barer as young doctor Mel; Tati Gabrielle as military medic Nora; and Spencer Lord as gentle soul Owen.
In Acting, CG, Digital Media, Games, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
71st Annual MPSE Golden Reel Awards Announced
Sony’s ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ nabs Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Animation, while ‘Oppenheimer’ takes home 2 awards and ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ and ‘The Mandalorian’ each grab 1, as 19 professional awards were presented recognizing the best in sound and music editing across feature film, television, animation, and computer entertainment.
In Awards, Digital Media, Event, Films, Games, Music and Sound, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Electronic Arts to Lay Off 5% of its Workforce
Big layoffs at major game companies continue; with cuts explained as a move to ‘optimize our global real estate footprint to best support our business,’ the gaming behemoth will also sunset games and ‘move away from the development of future licensed IP’ that will be unsuccessful in the ‘changing industry;’ company drops Star Wars shooter development.
In Business, Games, Jobs & Recruiting, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Orange Comet and Universal Team for ‘JAWS: Infested Waters’ Experience
Unfolding on Roblox, the group survival adventure transforms the classic 1970s film into an interactive experience, combining elements of strategy, teamwork, and action.
Magic Media Acquires Interactive Creation
The North Macedonian studio specializes in 3D, Animation, and VFX, and has contributed to multiple notable video game project, such as ‘Fall Guys,’ ‘Weird West,’ and ‘Shadow Warrior.’
In Business, Digital Media, Games, People, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: Europe
Sony Interactive Entertainment Lays Off 900 Employees
The division responsible for PlayStation devices and multiple game development studios has ‘concluded that tough decisions have become inevitable,’ says CEO Jim Ryan.
In Business, Digital Media, Games, Jobs & Recruiting, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
FMX 2024 Shares More Program Updates
New confirmations include a look at Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Poor Things’ VFX, and the crafting of animated features ‘Nimona’ and ‘Leo;’ 4-day conference returns in person April 23-26, and on demand April 27-May 31.
In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, Event, Films, Games, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Post-production, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Short Films, Technology, Transmedia, Virtual Production, AR/VR/XR, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Blogs: FMX Conference Spotlight | Special Events: FMX | Geographic Region: All
Lionsgate Drops ‘Borderlands’ Trailer and Posters
If minimal explosions bore you, you're in for a treat, as Eli Roth's action-packed adaptation of the famous Gearbox game blasts into theaters August 9th!
In Acting, CG, Films, Games, People, Visual Effects, Voice Acting | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Blue Zoo to Create ‘Fugglers’ Entertainment Universe
A 5-year deal with Libertas Brands tasks the animation studio with launching the popular plush characters into the entertainment realm via multiple digital platforms: online, on-screen, and in-game.
In Business, CG, Digital Media, Games, Licensing, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Pro Gamers Sue Activision for $100M Over ‘Call of Duty’ Tournament Monopoly Claims
Pro esports players Hector ‘H3cz’ Rodriguez and Seth ‘Scump’ Abner allege the company violated federal antitrust laws by coercing players and team owners to compete under ‘extortionate financial terms’ at the threat of exclusion from the Activision CoD league.
Paramount Shuts Down Noggin App, Lays Off Entire Team
The paid children’s entertainment streaming app for licensed content, interactive videos/games, and popular Nickelodeon titles will no longer accept new subscriptions; big name titles, such as Nick Jr.’s ‘Blue’s Clues’ and ‘Dora the Explorer,’ will now be hosted at Paramount+.
In Business, Digital Media, Games, Short Films, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Catherine O’Hara Joins Cast of ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2
With her role undisclosed, the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Beetlejuice’ star joins ‘Beef’ star Young Mazino as Jesse, Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, and Isabella Merced (‘Madame Web’) as Dina in HBO’s live-action series adaptation of the fan favorite zombie shooter.
In 3D, Acting, CG, Digital Media, Games, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Disney+ Drops ‘Iwájú’ Official Trailer and Poster
Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African entertainment company Kugali’s 6-part original animated series begins streaming February 28; a ‘Disney Iwájú: Rising Chef’ series-inspired game debuts the same day.
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Games, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
First Teaser Image Drops for ‘Among Us’ Animated Series
CBS Eye Animation Productions’ upcoming adaptation of the beloved multiplayer mystery game from Innersloth, with ‘Infinity Train’ creator Owen Dennis executive producing, is ‘progressing nicely,’ posts the game company devs on X alongside the first look.
SIGGRAPH 2024 Heads to Denver
The premier conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques invites artists, researchers, educators, and practitioners to submit conference content; the event runs July 28 – August 1.
In 2D, 3D, Call for Entries, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, Event, Films, Games, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Technology, Virtual Production, AR/VR/XR, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: SIGGRAPH | Geographic Region: North America
Disney to Invest $1.5 Billion in Epic Games, Build Entertainment Universe with Fortnite
The two companies' collaboration will further expand the reach of Disney’s huge IP catalog, stories, and experiences in the new venture, with the Mouse House acquiring an equity stake in the game company.
View Conference 2024 Early Bird Registration Now Open
Italy’s premiere animation and visual effects event will run in-person October 14-19 in Torino, Italy featuring a program of talks, presentations, workshops, and masterclasses presented by a stellar lineup of top industry professionals.
In Business, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, Event, Films, Games, Jobs & Recruiting, Post-production, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Technology, Television, Transmedia, Virtual Production, AR/VR/XR, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All, Europe
FMX 2024 Shares Conference Programming Updates
Attendees can explore ‘Loki’ Season 2 timeline mayhem and get insight into the making of the 60th anniversary ‘Doctor Who’ special episode; 4-day event kicks off in Stuttgart on April 23, 2024.
In 2D, 3D, AI, Business, CG, Diversity and Inclusion, Event, Films, Games, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Post-production, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Technology, Television, Transmedia, Virtual Production, AR/VR/XR, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Blogs: FMX Conference Spotlight | Special Events: FMX | Geographic Region: All
2024 Kidscreen Awards Winners Announced
The annual awards recognize the best in children’s TV and digital media; Disney nabs 20 trophies including three for ‘Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.’
In 2D, 3D, Acting, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Event, Films, Games, People, Television, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Kidscreen | Geographic Region: All
Catherine Winder Launches ‘Future Chicken’
New Canadian multi-platform digital resource teaches kids about climate change without ‘Doom and Gloom;’ fun short and long-form animated videos and immersive Roblox experiences star ‘Potato the Chicken: AKA the Future Chicken!’
In 3D, Business, CG, Community Outreach, Digital Media, Games, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Baobab Studios Announces ‘Momoguro’ TV Series
The multiple Emmy Award-winning interactive animation studio teams up with 9 Story Media Group to co-produce and launch a kids’ series based on its hugely popular game-based IP; the franchise features a magical universe with contrasting creatures who use the magical power of ‘Momoguro.’
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Comics, Digital Media, Games, Licensing, NFTs - Blockchain, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
4th Annual AfroAnimation Summit Returns to Burbank
The conference, running April 10-12, promotes diversity and inclusion throughout the entertainment industry, welcoming a coalition of industry speakers, studio execs, students, creatives and young professionals.
Saffronic Appoints Bhanu Prakash as Head of Creative, Games
The animation production studio founded in 2022 kicks off the new year with a roster of AAA projects for gaming industry titans, spearheaded by the new executive.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Games, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All, Asia
Microsoft to Layoff 1,900 Activision Blizzard, Xbox Employees
The tech giant has begun to cull workers from the newly acquired division to reduce ‘areas of overlap’ during the integration effort, with Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Ybarra also exiting the company.
