Activision Recasts Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Voice Actors Amid SAG-AFTRA Strike and AI Concerns

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 has quietly replaced some of its Zombies cast - here's why

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 publisher Activision has replaced some of the shooter's voice actors amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA actor strike. The voices of Zombie mode characters William Peck and Samantha Maxis - hitherto portrayed by Zeke Alton and Julie Nathanson, respectively - seem to have changed between pre-release and now, with no formal word from the publisher or developer Treyarch about the change. It also appears that Alton has been pulled from the credits, too, whilst Nathanson remains on the list - albeit uncredited for individual roles - making it difficult to know what characters are now voiced by who. Alton expanded a little on the changes, saying "to the best of [their] knowledge, that performance is not [mine]". "It's [Activision's] character, and they can do with it what they please," Alton told Game Developer. "My only concern is for my brand as a performer. 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. "I have no issue with Activision's actions with a character and IP that they own," Alton added. "I absolutely adore the creative team and the opportunity I've had to collaborate with them in the past. I sincerely hope to collaborate in the future once all performers are protected against generative AI abuse." In a careful statement to press, Activision said it would not comment on the specifics "out of respect for all parties", adding it "respect[ed] the personal choice of these performers [to strike]" but wouldn't "add new commentary about the ongoing negotiations" with SAG-AFTRA. It then simply said it was "looking forward to a mutually beneficial outcome as soon as possible". Video game performers with US actors' union SAG-AFTRA are currently striking over concerns about the use of AI and a lack of protection for actors. In related news, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 players recently hit out at "AI slop" they believe has been used within the game and its promotional materials. Last weekend, players noticed a six-fingered zombified Father Christmas had popped up on the loading screen, and whilst some fans simply attributed this as a nod to the fact this is the sixth Black Ops game, others alleged it was evidence that the art was machine-generated, as AI typically struggles to generate realistic-looking hands.

Activision Confirms Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Character Recast After Players Expressed Concern About New Voices - IGN

Activision has confirmed it has recast some members of the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 cast after fans noticed much-loved Zombies characters with new voices in-game. The company issued a statement to Game Developer admitting characters in Black Ops 6's Zombies mode were recast amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Zombies characters William Peck (Zeke Alton) and Samantha Maxis (Julie Nathanson) are currently voiced by new, unknown actors. Alton told Game Developer that he takes no issue with Activision's actions with Peck, but expressed concern "for my brand as a performer." "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," Alton said. SAG-AFTRA's dispute with the video game industry revolves around the use of generative AI to replicate voice actor performances. Activision said: "We respect the personal choice of these performers. Out of respect for all parties, we won't add new commentary about the ongoing negotiations with SAG-AFTRA. We look forward to a mutually beneficial outcome as soon as possible." The concern now is Activision may replace other voice actors in Black Ops 6, if it hasn't done already. Fans are already on high alert after accusing Activision of using "AI slop" for in-game art. Activision has so far failed to comment on the likes of the six-fingered Zombie Santa. SAG-AFTRA video game voice actors went on strike in July, accusing gaming companies of refusing to meet their demands on artificial intelligence. Negotiations over a new contract began in October 2022 and SAG-AFTRA members approved the strike last September. Check out IGN's feature, What the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike Means for Gamers, for more.

Activision recases Black Ops 6 voices amid SAG-AFTRA strike

Activision has confirmed that it has swapped out several voice actors in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 after fans noticed that some beloved characters in the Zombies mode now sound different. This change comes in the wake of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which has disrupted voice acting across the gaming industry. Key characters, like William Peck and Samantha Maxis, previously voiced by Zeke Alton and Julie Nathanson, now feature new, uncredited voices. In a statement to Game Developer, Activision acknowledged the recasting and expressed respect for the personal decisions of the involved actors. The company refrained from commenting further on the ongoing SAG-AFTRA negotiations but remained hopeful that a fair resolution would come soon. The strike, which began in July 2024, has centered on issues like the use of generative AI to replicate voice performances, a major sticking point in the dispute between actors and game companies. As the strike drags on, fans are keeping a close eye on further changes to Black Ops 6, with some already accusing Activision of using AI-generated content for the game's art. And the company has yet to respond to specific rumors. What do you think about the use of AI in gaming and its impact on voice actors? Should companies like Activision prioritize protecting performers' rights over technological advancements?