Zenless Zone Zero Voice Actors Say They Found Out They Were Replaced When the Patch Notes Went Live

Two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors, Emeri Chase and Nicholas Thurkettle, discovered they had been replaced when the game's patch notes were released, highlighting the ongoing battle for generative AI protections in the video game industry.

The dispute between the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the video game industry centers around the use of generative AI to replicate voice actor performances. Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), developed by HoYoverse, the company behind Genshin Impact, is not subject to the strike as it was in development before the strike's commencement on July 25, 2024. However, voice actors may choose not to sign new contracts in solidarity with striking union members or without a SAG Interim Agreement.

Emeri Chase, who voiced Soldier 11, stated 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." Nicholas Thurkettle, who voiced Lycaon, faced a similar fate despite not being a union member.

Chase clarified the situation on Bluesky, noting, "Union projects that began work prior to the strike and non-union projects are not 'struck.' But they also do not offer the Union-enforced AI rights we are fighting for. Many actors are choosing to voluntarily withhold work on these categories of projects because we feel it is the best way to support the union's fight for the protections that are critical to our continued ability to create the art we love."

Chase was aware that withholding work could lead to replacement but had hoped HoYoverse would keep Soldier 11 silent until they could return. Both Chase and Thurkettle learned of their replacements simultaneously with the public. Thurkettle, who had not been in communication with HoYoverse or Sound Cadence since October, emphasized his stance against AI, stating, "I'm not SAG but what game companies want to do with AI is an existential threat. I took a personal stand to ask for protection, and had to be willing to give up the best thing that's ever happened in my professional life. I stand by my choice."

IGN has sought comment from HoYoverse on the matter.

In a related incident in December, Activision recast some characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 amid the SAG-AFTRA strike, affecting beloved Zombies characters William Peck and Samantha Maxis, now voiced by new, uncredited actors. Zeke Alton, the original voice of William Peck, expressed concerns about the impact on his professional reputation due to the lack of proper crediting for the replacement actor.

For more insights on how the strike impacts the gaming industry, refer to our feature, What the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike Means for Gamers.