Currently, there’s a great deal of uncertainty in the video game industry, especially for voice actors. For nearly a year now, SAG-AFTRA has been engaging in a strike against certain companies that won’t agree to terms ensuring voice actors’ consent is obtained before their work is used to train AI. Tensions are escalating on both sides, with emotions running high.
On May 1, 2025, Jennifer Hale, recognized from series like Mass Effect and Bayonetta, expressed a heartfelt apology for her outburst during a meeting regarding the strike. In her words, “I’m deeply saddened, not just for our industry, but for our peers, and for the multitude of people impacted by this industrial action. The entire community seems to be in pain, with many finding it challenging to support their families.
As a gamer, I’m calling for “transparency, empathy, and negotiation” now that we’re almost there with the various factions. We’re on the verge of reaching an agreement.
— Jennifer Hale (@jhaletweets) May 1, 2025
Other virtual assistants are concerned that the strike may have already inflicted permanent harm on the U.S. industry. Allegra Clark, recognized for her work on games such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, expressed her genuine fear about the potential outcomes of the strike, stating “it doesn’t matter if ‘AI triumphs’ or not.
She pointed out the “distrust, allegations, undermining, and broken relationships” that the strike has already triggered due to its significant implications.
She penned, “Everyone is tense and deeply invested because of these high stakes.” However, I must admit, the atmosphere in the industry now is unrecognizable from what it was last year. To be honest, it’s a living hell, and I believe it’s time for things to change.
I’m seeking a contract that ensures my approval for any use of my contributions, whether it’s voice or performance. I have reservations about AI in art, but I acknowledge the necessity for technology companies powering game studios to maintain their creative freedom and technological advancements.
— Allegra Clark (@SimplyAllegra) May 1, 2025
Clark underscores an increasingly obvious fact: Developers are increasingly seeking voiceover talent outside the U.S., either partnering with studios based abroad or those who collaborate with international talents. For instance, HoYoverse recently teamed up with a British studio for Genshin Impact’s English dub and replaced Voice Actors (VAs) in both Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero.
Lately, vocal unions have expressed strong opinions that seem critical towards freelancers, which has added to the already tense atmosphere during the strike and diminished the positive sentiment from the public that the strike had garnered earlier this year.
In his writing, Clark expressed that he’s been in a situation where it feels like he needs to stay low-profile for nearly a year because often his feelings differ from those of others. He added that the current climate is particularly challenging for voice actors, and he finds himself constantly on guard, questioning who is trustworthy, and worrying about what others might be saying about him behind his back. According to him, fans’ trust has been shaken, and it may take a long time before the community fully recovers from this period of uncertainty.
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2025-05-02 13:17