Zenless Zone Zero Suddenly Replaces 2 Voice Actors in Update 1.6

After Update 1.6 launched for Zenless Zone Zero, the original voice actors for Von Lycaon and Soldier-11 discover they’ve been replaced entirely without prior notice. The news comes on the heels of the highly anticipated debut of Update 1.6 for Zenless Zone Zero, adding new characters and narratives which seemingly answer some questions that have been lingering for a while.

March 11 was a highly anticipated day for the community as Update 1.6 for Zenless Zone Zero finally arrived. HoYoverse has been teasing new content over the past few weeks, adding Soldier-0 Anby to the limited-time S-Rank Banner, new events, as well as two new story segments focused on her origin story. The update also adds a new A-Rank agent, Pulchra, and makes a variety of changes and tweaks to the game sandbox, including adding new voices to Soldier-11 and Von Lycaon.

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Zenless Zone Zero Teases New Character for Update 1.7

HoYoverse begins its drip marketing campaign for Update 1.7 by teasing a new character which may have a big impact on the game’s upcoming story.

As players have found over the past couple of updates, Von Lycaon’s character has been voiceless in cutscenes, with only text appearing on-screen. While a bit awkward from an immersion standpoint, the reasoning is due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which originally began in July 2024 largely due to AI concerns and protections against being replaced by artificial intelligence. Without an end in sight, some companies have found different ways around the lack of voice acting, though for HoYoverse, it seems the studio has just opted to move on entirely as indicated in the 1.6 patch notes.

Soldier 11 and Von Lycaon Voice Actors React to Being Replaced in Zenless Zone Zero

Following the launch of Update 1.6, the voice actors for Von Lycaon and Soldier-11, Nicholas Thurkettle and Emeri Chase, discovered that they had been replaced entirely. While having no prior knowledge of this, Chase and Thurkettle took to social media to express their surprise and reiterate their stance on the strike. Both admit that they loved their roles in Zenless Zone Zero, but standing up for their beliefs is more important. Considering how important the two characters are in this latest Zenless Zone Zero update and story, it seems HoYoverse didn’t want to continue utilizing silent characters.

As the SAG-AFTRA strike continues, this isn’t the first instance of studios having to pivot during development. In fact, Bungie let fans know that Episode Heresy in Destiny 2 was impacted by the strike and that certain characters would be voiceless. Specifically, Commander Sloane and the villain Xivu Arath have gone silent for Episode Heresy, with only subtitles left in place along with accessibility options for players to make the text easier to read.

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Don’t go into the Hollows.
I know, I know, there’s Ether in the Hollows, bizarre creations, even heritage of the old civilization, all precious treasures. But don’t forget, there’s also spatial disorder, monsters and mutants running rampant, and ultimately, a disaster that could swallow the world. They are not a place where ordinary people should go.
So don’t go into Hollows.
Or at least, don’t go in alone.
If you insist on getting into danger, go to New Eridu first.
This city where the good and the bad mix has many people who need the Hollows: Powerful wealthy tycoons, gangs that stalk the streets, conspiracy nuts, and ruthless officials.
Make your preparations there, find strong allies, and most importantly—
Find a “Proxy”.
Only they can guide people out of the maze-like Hollows.
Good luck!

Released

July 4, 2024

ESRB

T (Teen) – Suggestive Themes & Violence

Publisher(s)

HoYoverse

Engine

Unity

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

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