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

Two voice actors from Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) discovered they had been replaced when the game's patch notes were released, they have claimed, marking the latest development in the ongoing battle for protections against generative AI in the video game industry.

The dispute between the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the video game industry centers on the use of generative AI to replicate voice actor performances. While ZZZ, developed by HoYoverse (the company behind Genshin Impact), is not subject to the strike due to its development starting before July 25, 2024, voice actors may choose not to work on new contracts in solidarity with the striking union members or without a SAG Interim Agreement.

Emeri Chase, who voiced Soldier 11, stated they were "replaced as Soldier 11 because I am unwilling to perform work not covered by a SAG Interim Agreement during a strike for AI protection, the outcome of which will determine the future of our industry." Similarly, Nicholas Thurkettle, who played Lycaon, was replaced, despite not being a union member.

In a thread on Bluesky, Chase clarified the distinction between projects that are 'struck' and those not covered by a SAG Interim Agreement. "Union projects that began work prior to the strike and non-union projects are not 'struck.' But they also do not offer the Union-enforced AI rights we are fighting for," Chase explained. Many actors are voluntarily withholding work on such projects to support the union's efforts to secure critical protections for their art.

Chase acknowledged the risk of being replaced by withholding work but had hoped HoYoverse would keep Soldier 11 silent until they could return. "I found out the role was recast today alongside all of you," Chase said. Thurkettle, learning of his replacement at the same time as the public, expressed shock and noted a lack of communication from HoYoverse and Sound Cadence since October. "I'm not SAG but what game companies want to do with AI is an existential threat. I took a personal stand to ask for protection, and had to be willing to give up the best thing that's ever happened in my professional life. I stand by my choice," Thurkettle stated.

IGN has reached out to HoYoverse for comment on the situation.

In a related incident from December, Activision confirmed the recasting of some characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 after fans noticed changes in the voices of beloved Zombies characters in-game. The company admitted to Game Developer that characters in Black Ops 6’s Zombies mode, such as William Peck (previously voiced by Zeke Alton) and Samantha Maxis (previously voiced by Julie Nathanson), were recast amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Alton expressed no issue with Activision's decision but was concerned about "my brand as a performer" due to the lack of crediting for the new voice actor.

For more insights into how the SAG-AFTRA strike impacts the gaming industry, you can read our feature, What the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike Means for Gamers.