“Unexpected Changes: Actors Unaware of Recasting in Zenless Zone Zero Update 1.6”

The update 1.6 for Zenless Zone Zero launched yesterday, March 11, and along with introducing new characters such as Anby: Soldier 0 and Pulchra, it unveiled fresh English voice talents and voice actors for two current characters: Soldier 11 and Von Lycaon. The primary voice actors behind these characters, Emeri Hasten and Nicholas Thurkettle, have both vocally supported the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike advocating for AI protections, stating they were not informed about the recasting until the patch notes were made public with the update.

“I understood that by refraining from work, I might be replaced, although I certainly wished they would choose to leave her silent until I could return,” Hasten mentioned in a tweet. “I discovered the role had been recast today just like all of you.”

Thurkettle, who is not actually a member of the SAG-AFTRA union, expressed in a tweet of his own: “Friends – I’m learning this just as you are, and I share your disbelief. Neither HoYoverse nor [recording studio] Sound Cadence has reached out to me since October. I’ve been entirely available and have recorded several voice jobs in that time. I am trying to gather more information and process this news.”

“I’m not SAG, but what game companies intend to do with AI poses an existential threat,” Thurkettle further commented, sharing Hasten’s thread. “I took a personal stand to request protection, and had to be willing to sacrifice the best opportunity I’ve had in my professional career. I stand by my decision.”

Hasten clarified that “I was replaced as Soldier 11 because I refuse to work outside the parameters of a SAG Interim Agreement during a strike for AI protections, the results of which will shape the future of our industry.”

While the recasting seems to have occurred abruptly, it is unclear what prior discussions may have taken place between Hasten, Thurkettle, Sound Cadence, and HoYoverse regarding their roles and work schedules before the recasting. Clearly, these actors were aware their characters were not being voiced, with Hasten confirming that she understood she could be replaced, yet it’s still uncertain how these matters were communicated behind the scenes.

This sheds light on the somewhat complex relationship between Zenless Zone Zero developer HoYoverse, the recording studios contracted by HoYoverse for English voiceover work, and the actors hired by those studios, not to mention the varying contract stipulations for union and non-union voice actors across different projects under various studios. It’s quite intricate and poses a challenging scenario: actors need to work, yet they also need to protect their careers in the long term. The fact that this strike is still ongoing after several months, even with a temporary agreement in place, adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Hasten emphasized the distinctions between projects. “Union projects that started before the strike and non-union projects are not ‘struck,'” she stated. “However, they also lack the Union-enforced AI rights we are fighting for. Many actors are opting to voluntarily hold back work on these types of projects because we believe it is the best way to support the Union’s struggle for protections crucial to our ongoing ability to create the art we cherish.”

Several HoYoverse games, including Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, have been lacking English voice performances for various updates due to conflicting “recording agreements” likely related to actors, whether union or non-union, withholding work in a show of solidarity and support for long-term sustainability and protections against AI. As Thurkettle noted earlier this March, “We share a profound affection for our Wolf Thiren butler [Lycaon] and eagerly anticipate hearing him speak once more.”

HoYoverse appears to have opted to look for alternative studios or arrangements with