Activision made changes to the voice cast of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The company is the main union of Hollywood artists. The voice replacement in the popular Zombies mode caught the attention of fans. They noticed differences in the interpretations of characters like William Peck and Samantha Maxis. Voice actor Zeke Alton, responsible for Peck's voice in previous games, confirmed the change and mentioned that his name was removed from the game's credits.
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The situation exposed the delicate relationship between video game productions and strikes in the entertainment industry. Although films and series frequently suffer production stoppages, a clause known as Side Letter Six allows games in development before July 2024 to continue with cast replacements if the original voice actors choose to join the strike.
Debate on rights and artificial intelligence
Zeke Alton clarified that he doesn't directly oppose the changes made by Activision, but expressed concern about his professional reputation. "Without proper credit, fans might think the performance is still mine, which undermines the perception of my abilities ," he stated. He also highlighted the importance of protecting voice actors from the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), an issue that has gained prominence in the industry.
This concern reflects a growing problem: the use of AI to replicate voices without the artists' consent. Thus, the practice, while technologically and economically advantageous for studios, raises ethical questions about the rights of performers and the preservation of creative authenticity.
Activision, through a statement, declared its respect for the individual choices of the professionals involved and reinforced its hope for a positive solution to the strike. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA announced a new agreement regulating game localization, expanding employment opportunities and offering safeguards against the use of AI.
