Hades developer Supergiant Games addresses voice actor recasting rumors amid SAG-AFTRA strike

Supergiant Games has issued a statement in response to accusations that it recast the voice actor for Athena in Hades 2 due to disagreements over SAG-AFTRA's interim agreement conditions. The dispute arises amid a broader industry strike concerning the use of AI in game development.

The details:

• Marin Miller, the original voice of Athena, hinted on social media that they were replaced not by choice but because Supergiant Games refused to adhere to the interim agreement set by SAG-AFTRA. "It's possible you may hear me get recast in a particular game that is very popular. If I am, it was not because I stepped away from the character willingly," Miller stated, indirectly referring to Supergiant without naming the studio directly. They further urged fans to advocate on behalf of the actors, suggesting they write a "GIANT email" to the company.
• In a comprehensive rebuttal, Supergiant confirmed that no roles in Hades 2 had been recast and clarified its position on the ongoing video game voice actors' strike. "We offer the strongest AI protections in the industry to our talent, as we believe their work is irreplaceable," the studio asserted. The statement further emphasized that their games are crafted by human creatives without the assistance of generative AI, ensuring the integrity of artistic contributions.
• The SAG-AFTRA strike, which began in July last year, primarily revolves around concerns over AI's role in the creative processes of the industry. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher highlighted the union's commitment to safeguarding members from AI exploitation: "We're not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members," she stated.

Other gaming news:

• Prominent AI researcher Dr. Michael Cook calls Microsoft's Muse "overly optimistic" and debunks the gaming giant's game preservation claims.
• Sony faces a class action lawsuit from Dutch consumer group, Massaschade & Consument over "artificially high" PlayStation Store pricing in the Netherlands.