Two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors, Emeri Chase and Nicholas Thurkettle, discovered they had been replaced when the game's patch notes were released, they have claimed. This incident highlights the ongoing tension surrounding generative AI protections in the video game industry, as addressed by the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), developed by HoYoverse, the creators of Genshin Impact, is not subject to the SAG-AFTRA strike because its development began before the strike's start date of July 25, 2024. However, voice actors can choose to withhold their work from projects that are not covered by a SAG Interim Agreement in solidarity with the striking union members.

Emeri Chase, the voice of 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, was also replaced, despite not being a union member.

In a Bluesky thread, Chase clarified the distinction between projects that are "struck" and those not covered by an Interim Agreement, stating, "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 acknowledged the risk of being replaced but had hoped HoYoVerse would keep the character silent until they could return. Both actors learned of their replacements alongside the public, with Thurkettle expressing shock and 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 reached out to HoYoVerse for comment on this matter.

This situation echoes a similar case from December involving Activision and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. The company confirmed recasting some characters in the Zombies mode amid the SAG-AFTRA strike. Voice actors Zeke Alton and Julie Nathanson, who previously voiced William Peck and Samantha Maxis respectively, were replaced by new, uncredited actors. Alton expressed concern over the lack of crediting, noting, "Fans of the game have reached out to me because the lack of crediting [of the replacement actor] implies that it may still be me which unfairly represents my abilities as a performer."

For a deeper understanding of how the SAG-AFTRA strike impacts the gaming industry, readers can refer to our feature, What the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike Means for Gamers.