Activision has made changes to the voice cast of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The company is Hollywood's main artists' union. 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 sector. Although films and series often suffer strikes, 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 is not directly opposed to the changes made by Activision, but expressed concern about his professional reputation. “Without the correct credits, fans may think the performance is still mine, which undermines the perception of my abilities ,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of protecting voice actors against the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), an issue that has gained relevance in the industry.
This fear reflects a growing problem: the use of AI to replicate voices without artists' consent. Thus, the practice, although technologically and economically advantageous for studios, raises ethical discussions about the rights of performers and the preservation of creative authenticity.
Activision, through a statement, declared respect for the individual choices of the professionals involved and reinforced the hope of a positive solution to the strike. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA announced a new agreement that regulates game localization, expanding employment opportunities and offering safeguards against the use of AI.
