Destiny 2 Faces Uncertainty Amid SAG-AFTRA Strike Impact
By The newest installment of Destiny 2, titled Heresy, is likely to be somewhat quieter than usual. In its latest blog post, Bungie disclosed that “some voice lines” will not be voiced in-game due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
Bungie is addressing this by enabling subtitles by default, ensuring players “do not overlook any story elements.” Additionally, in-game activities for Heresy will prominently display a warning if there are missing voice lines, making players aware before the activities commence.
Voice actors under SAG-AFTRA have been striking for improved working conditions and safeguards against generative AI since July 2024. Negotiations between the union and major game studios such as WB Games and Insomniac Games resumed following a brief hiatus for discussions last October.
The SAG-AFTRA strike endures
Other games beyond Destiny 2 have been affected by the ongoing strike. Last year, MiHoYo similarly cautioned Genshin Impact players that some English lines might remain unvoiced due to “recording issues.” Voice actors are technically permitted to continue working on Genshin, however, the game’s recording studio, Formosa Interactive, has previously faced criticism from SAG-AFTRA for allegedly trying to circumvent strike regulations.
League of Legends developer Riot Games was also embroiled in the union’s conflict with Formosa. After clarifying its lack of involvement with the company’s questionable practices, Riot announced that certain in-game Leagueskins would utilize previously recorded voiceover content until the strike is resolved.
In contrast, Activision Blizzard recast roles for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s Zombies mode. Although the game itself is not under strike, Activision has also not signed a standard contract that would allow actors to continue their involvement.
Since the strike commenced, SAG-AFTRA has successfully negotiated agreements with smaller studios and ensured protections for dub actors and indie developers. It has also negotiated agreements with several AI voice companies to ensure actors are “protected and compensated fairly.”
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Contributing Editor, GameDeveloper.com
Hailing from Kansas City, MO, Justin Carter has contributed to numerous websites including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. Along with Game Developer, his work can also be found on io9 at Gizmodo. Don’t bother asking him about how much gum he’s had, as the answer will likely be more than he is prepared to reveal.