"Voice Actors Replaced in Zenless Zone Zero, Discovered via Patch Notes"

Two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors, Emeri Chase and Nicholas Thurkettle, discovered they were replaced when the game's patch notes went live, amid ongoing disputes over generative AI protections in the video game industry. The Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is currently in a strike against the use of AI to replicate voice actor performances.

Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), developed by HoYoverse, the company behind Genshin Impact, is not directly affected by the strike as it was in development before the strike's start date of July 25, 2024. However, voice actors may choose to boycott new contracts in solidarity or due to the absence of a SAG Interim Agreement.

Emeri Chase, who voiced Soldier 11, stated they were replaced because they refused to work without a SAG Interim Agreement during the strike, which is focused on securing AI protections for the future of the industry. Nicholas Thurkettle, the voice of Lycaon, faced a similar fate despite not being a union member.

Chase elaborated on the situation in a Bluesky thread, as reported by Eurogamer, explaining the distinction between projects that are 'struck' and those without Interim Agreements. They noted that many actors are voluntarily withholding work to support the union's efforts for crucial AI protections.

Both Chase and Thurkettle expressed disappointment and shock upon learning of their replacements through the patch notes, with Chase hoping HoYoverse would keep their character silent until they could return. Thurkettle, who had been available and recorded other projects, highlighted the existential threat posed by AI in the gaming industry and stood by his decision to demand protections.

IGN has reached out to HoYoverse for a statement on the matter.

In a related incident, Activision recast some characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 during the same strike, affecting beloved Zombies characters William Peck and Samantha Maxis. The recasting was confirmed by Activision to Game Developer, with the original voice actors expressing concerns over the lack of crediting for the new performers and its impact on their professional reputation.

For a deeper understanding of how the SAG-AFTRA strike impacts the gaming industry, readers can refer to our feature, What the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike Means for Gamers.