Two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors, Emeri Chase and Nicholas Thurkettle, discovered they had been replaced when the game's patch notes were released, amidst ongoing tensions surrounding the use of generative AI 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 on 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 opt not to sign new contracts in solidarity with the striking union members or in the absence of 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 played Lycaon and is not a union member, was also replaced.

In a Bluesky thread, Chase clarified the distinction between being 'struck' and not being on an Interim Agreement: "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 [developer HoYoVerse] would choose to leave her silent until I was able to return." Both Chase and Thurkettle learned of their replacements simultaneously with the public. Thurkettle added, "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. 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.

In a related incident last December, Activision confirmed the recasting of some characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 after fans noticed new voices for beloved Zombies characters. The company admitted to Game Developer that characters in Black Ops 6’s Zombies mode were recast due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Characters William Peck and Samantha Maxis are now voiced by new, unknown actors. Zeke Alton, the original voice of William Peck, expressed no issue with Activision’s actions but was concerned "for my brand as a performer," as fans reached out to him, mistakenly thinking he was still voicing the character.

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