Zenless Zone Zero voice actors informed they have been replaced over AI strike via patch notes

by Danny Craig  ·  Updated 
Zenless Zone Zero voice actors informed they have been replaced over AI strike via patch notes
HoYoverse

Update 13/03/25:

Sound Cadence has now responded to the situation, claiming that it offers "explicit AI protections, regardless of union status" in its contracts. The recording studio went on to state that it supports SAG-AFTRA's negotiations regarding AI and that it would continue to work on projects "in the most human way possible".

Original article:

Two voice actors who worked on HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero claim they were informed by the game's latest patch notes that their characters had been recast after supporting the SAG-AFTRA strike over AI concerns.

The details:

  • The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is currently striking over the protection of actors' voices from being replicated using generative AI in the gaming industry. The strike has caused some disruption for companies such as Activision, which has decided to recast some of their affected in-game characters. On the other hand, some have agreed to follow an interim agreement that protects actors and allows them to continue working.

  • According to Emeri Chase, who played Soldier 11 in the gacha title Zenless Zone Zero, 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."

  • A second ZZZ actor, Nicholas Thurkettle, who voiced Lycaon, has also confirmed that they have been replaced, even though Thurkettle is not a SAG-AFTRA member. The actor revealed that neither HoYoverse nor Sound Cadence had informed them that their roles had been recast, with both actors learning about the situation after the game's latest patch notes were released to the public.

  • In a Bluesky thread, Chase explained that while projects in the works before July 25, 2024 are not considered "struck," actors are voluntarily withholding work to support the fight against AI. They stated that they were aware that "it was possible I'd be replaced," but hoped that Soldier 11 would remain unvoiced for the time being, with Thurkettle adding that HoYoverse and Sound Cadence had not been in touch since October.

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