“Zenless Zone Zero Voice Cast Updated Amid SAG-AFTRA Strike Developments”
As the SAG-AFTRA voice actor strikes continue, a duo of voice actors for MiHoYo’s Zenless Zone Zero discovered they had been recast.
Emeri Jog and Nicholas Thurkettle, who portray Soldier 11 and Lycaon respectively, found out they were replaced in a recent update for the game released earlier this week. On social platforms, Jog stated she was “unwilling to engage in work not covered by a SAG Interim Agreement during a strike for AI protections.”
Earlier this week, the union reported that “alarming loopholes” had prevented it from reaching agreements with major game studios. The proposals presented could potentially expose actors to AI exploitation, and SAG-AFTRA urged its members to remain steadfast as employers begin to “feel the pressure.”
That “pressure” has been experienced in various ways, such as Destiny 2 and Genshin Impact informing players that certain lines would not be voiced. At the same time, Insurrection Games is reusing previous voiceovers for specific League of Legends skins until the strike concludes, and Activision Blizzard recast roles for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Zenless is not a struck game; however, voice actors had the opportunity to decline signing new contracts (or accepting an Interim Agreement) to express solidarity with striking union members. According to Jog, non-struck titles released prior to July 25, 2024 (the strike’s start date) “don’t provide the Union-enforced AI rights we are fighting for.”
Related:Prytania Media sues NetEase for defamation, blames it for studio collapse
Zenless’ voice actors hold firm, yet stand their ground
Although she anticipated a replacement was possible, Jog wished MiHoYo would simply have Soldier 11 remain silent until the strike concluded, similar to how it has managed voice lines for Genshin Impact.
Thurkettle, who is not a SAG-AFTRA member, expressed that he was also caught off guard by his recasting and described the developers’ plans for AI voice replicas as “an existential threat. I made a personal decision to advocate for protection, and had to be prepared to part with the best opportunity I’ve ever had in my career. I stand by my choice.”
Jog also maintained her stance, stating she “would’ve been delighted to return to the project post-strike or with an Interim Agreement. […] All my best to the cast and crew. Thank you for a fantastic journey, proxies.”
Sound Cadence, the recording studio for Zenless Zone Zero and several other projects (including Digimon, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora), later released a statement clarifying that each of its contracts has “explicit AI protections, regardless of union affiliation. […] Our studio has and will continue to honor legacy casting on all projects we’ve taken over whenever possible, and always reach out to actors to reprise their roles before pursuing any alternative options.”
Related:Microsoft’s AI-powered Copilot assistance tool is arriving on Xbox
“We respect the choices of all actors as they navigate the ongoing strike, and fully support SAG-AFTRA in its negotiations regarding AI,” it continued. “We will continue to bring voices to our clients’ projects in the most human manner possible.”
Game Developer has reached out to MiHoYo for a comment, and will update when a response is received.
About the Author
Contributing Editor, GameDeveloper.com
A native of Kansas City, MO, Justin Carter has contributed to a variety of websites including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. In addition to Game Developer, his writing can also be found on io9 over at Gizmodo. Don’t ask him how much gum he’s had, as the answer is likely more than he’s willing to admit.