Two Zenless Zone Zero actors lose jobs over AI dispute without notice, finding out alongside players
UPDATE: Genshin actor also loses other work.
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UPDATE 17/03/25: Genshin Impact voice actor Showtaro Morikubo has now been removed from Arknights, another popular Chinese gacha game, following the sudden announcement last week they would no longer be part of Hoyoverse's voice cast.
Morikubo had a significant role in Arknights as the character Elysium, which will now be recast.
"Due to various circumstances, [Morikubo] has decided to step down," Arknights development team stated in a message posted to the game's Chinese social media account. "To all players and stakeholders, we sincerely apologise for the great inconvenience and concern caused."
Fans had suggested Morikubo being cut from Genshin Impact was because the actor had been linked to criticism of China's treatment of Uyghur people - as detailed in the original story below.
UPDATE 13/03/25: Sound Cadence Studios, responsible for recording the voice actors in Zenless Zone Zero, has responded to the news of two actors being recast.
In a statement shared on social media, the studio said its contracts offer "explicit AI protections, regardless of union status" and it will continue to work on its clients' projects "in the most human way possible".
The statement reads: "Every contract at our studio features explicit AI protections, regardless of union status. Much of our staff are actors themselves, and could not in good conscience offer other performers work we would not be willing to take.
"The decision to recast talent on any project is not made lightly. While sometimes our hands are tied as to what we can communicate and when, we understand how personally actors take their roles, and always want to ensure that no one is ever blindsided. Our studio has and will continue to honour legacy casting on all projects we've inherited whenever possible, and always reach out to actors to reprise their roles before investigating any other options.
"We respect the decisions of all actors in navigating the ongoing strike, and fully support SAG-AFTRA in its AI negotiations. The passion of fan communities for video game characters and the people who bring them to life is further evidence that real, human actors matter, and we will continue to bring voices to our clients' projects in the most human way possible."
ORIGINAL STORY 12/03/25: Two voice actors working on Zenless Zone Zero have been suddenly recast due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike over AI abuse, and discovered the change alongside the publication of the game's patch notes.
Emeri Chase, who played Soldier 11, announced they were replaced as they were "unwilling to perform work not covered by a SAG Interim Agreement during a strike for AI protections".
Meanwhile Nicholas Thurkettle, who played Lycaon, has also been recast despite not being a member of the union. Both actors only found out about the recasting at the same time as players, when details of Zenless Zone Zero's latest patch went live.
Chase posted a thread on social media to explain the situation.
"I'd like to clarify that there's a difference between being 'struck' and not being on an Interim Agreement," they said. "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.
"I knew that by withholding work it was possible I'd be replaced, though of course I hoped they would choose to leave her silent until I was able to return. I found out the role was recast today alongside all of you."
Hey proxies, I was 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. Any other theories that pop up are incorrect. 🧵1/5
— Emeri Chase (@emerichase.com) 12 March 2025 at 03:56
Thurkettle posted: "I'm learning about this as you are and I share your shock. Neither HoYoverse nor Sound Cadence has communicated with me since October. I've been fully available and recorded multiple voice jobs in that time."
Then, sharing Chase's post, Thurkettle followed up: "This is what I've been quiet about. 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."
This is what I've been quiet about. 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.
— Nicholas Thurkettle - Voice Actor (@nthurkettle.bsky.social) 12 March 2025 at 04:01
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Eurogamer has contacted HoYoverse for further comment.
Today, Eurogamer reported the strike from US actors' union SAG-AFTRA remains ongoing as it warns of "alarming loopholes" for "AI abuse" in the latest proposal.
The strike began back in July last year, with the main sticking point being the need to protect actors from AI abuse.
While some actors are still working despite the strike, Chase and Thurkettle's situation is a clear example of the risk actors are taking to protect their livelihoods as the dispute continues.
Today the union urged performers to "seriously consider the consequences" of working with game producers at this time, not only in undermining the strike but opening performers to AI misuse.
In related news, HoYoverse announced actor Showtaro Morikubo will no longer voice Ifa in the Japanese version of Genshin Impact.
In a social media announcement, the company stated "due to various circumstances" the actor had "been forced to withdraw from the project".
While no further details have been given, Automaton reports fans are speculating it may be due to Morikubo appearing in a live reading back in 2024 called Inochigake no Shougen (Life-risking Testimonies), based on a book of the same name which contains testimonies of Uyghur people. The book likens the Chinese government's treatment of the Uyghur to the suppression and genocide of Jewish people by the Nazi party.