Expect significant new tariffs on Chinese imports and moderate levies on goods from other nations , as President-elect Donald Trump rolls out his protectionist agenda. However, with his preference for chaotic policymaking and sudden shifts , there’s uncertainty on how soon these import taxes will actually hit. Dubbed “ Tariff Man ,” Trump aims to use tariffs both strategically and tactically . He’s mentioned taxing all Chinese goods up to 60% and potentially setting 10%-20% tariffs on imports globally , but details on these plans remain vague . Key players within Trump’s team are divided: Robert Lighthizer , a staunch tariff advocate, sees permanent duties as crucial to balance US trade , while others, like billionaires John Paulson and Scott Bessent , view tariffs as temporary leverage. Trump’s previous administration had mixed feelings, especially on national security-related trade limits , which he sometimes dismissed, favoring an “open for business” approach. High-profile busin
Major video game publishers like Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive are expected to avoid significant impacts from the ongoing strike by voice actors and motion-capture artists due to their in-house studios and long development cycles, according to analysts.
The strike, which began last week, is the latest labor action in Hollywood, following last year's strikes by writers and actors seeking protections against AI. This comes at a crucial time for the video game industry, where demand remains weak post-pandemic, with players focusing on major titles.
However, the strike is not expected to cause major disruptions. Voice actors and motion-capture artists constitute a small part of the game development process and budget.
"When you think about the larger publishers, they'll spend anywhere from three to 10 years working on their larger titles. If something is coming out over the next several quarters, it will have been something that they began production on several years ago," said Wedbush Securities analyst Nick McKay.
This means that Take-Two’s highly anticipated "Grand Theft Auto VI," set for a fall 2025 release, is unlikely to be affected by the strike initiated by the SAG-AFTRA union.
The minimal budget required for voice acting provides little incentive to delay projects, and without a unified body, once one developer reaches an agreement, others may follow, analysts noted.
Nevertheless, the strike will be a prominent topic during the upcoming earnings reports of these companies, said Joost Van Dreunen, a lecturer at NYU's Stern School of Business. He emphasized that the strike reflects broader industry issues, including widespread layoffs and studio shutdowns.
"If it isn't resolved by early September, then I can see it carrying into the rest of the year and the holiday season," Van Dreunen added. "That will be much more dramatic for publishers."
Key Takeaways:
- Major video game publishers are likely to avoid major impacts from the voice actors and motion-capture artists' strike.
- In-house studios and long development cycles provide a buffer against disruptions.
- The strike affects a small portion of the development process and budget.
- Take-Two’s "Grand Theft Auto VI" release in fall 2025 is unlikely to be impacted.
- The strike will be a significant topic in upcoming earnings reports.
- Broader industry issues include layoffs and studio shutdowns.
- Prolonged strikes could affect the industry during the holiday season.
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