In a recent development within the gaming industry, two voice actors from Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), Emeri Chase and Nicholas Thurkettle, discovered they had been replaced when the game's patch notes were released. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the video game industry, particularly concerning the use of generative AI to replicate voice performances.
ZZZ, developed by HoYoverse, the company behind Genshin Impact, is not directly impacted by the SAG-AFTRA strike that began on July 25, 2024, as it was already in development. However, the strike has broader implications, and voice actors like Chase and Thurkettle have chosen to stand in solidarity by refusing to work on projects not covered by a SAG Interim Agreement.
Emeri Chase, who voiced Soldier 11, expressed on Bluesky their decision to withhold work in support of the union's fight for AI protections. "I am unwilling to perform work not covered by a SAG Interim Agreement during a strike for AI protection," Chase stated, acknowledging the risk of being replaced but hoping HoYoverse would leave the character silent until their return. Unfortunately, Chase learned of their replacement simultaneously with the public.
Similarly, Nicholas Thurkettle, who voiced Lycaon and is not a union member, also faced replacement. Despite being available and having recorded other voice jobs since October, Thurkettle had no communication from HoYoverse or Sound Cadence. He emphasized the existential threat AI poses to the industry and stood by his decision to demand protections, even at the cost of losing a significant role.
In a related incident, Activision recast some voice actors for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 amid the SAG-AFTRA strike. Characters like William Peck and Samantha Maxis in the Zombies mode were voiced by new actors, leading to concerns from original voice actor Zeke Alton about the impact on his professional reputation due to the lack of crediting for the new performers.
For more insight into how the SAG-AFTRA strike affects the gaming industry, you can refer to our feature, What the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike Means for Gamers.
IGN has reached out to HoYoverse for a comment on the situation with Zenless Zone Zero.
