- EA’s contract demanded unlimited AI-generated voice rights
- 32 Apex Legends French voice actors refused and quit
- Fans support the actors, EA remains silent on the issue
The entire French voice cast of Apex Legends has left the team after they were asked to sign a controversial contract. The contract demanded voice actors to give the company permission to use AI-generated versions of their voices.
AI vs. Actors: The Battle for Voice Rights
The use of AI in the gaming industry is already being extremely criticized, and the decision taken by these voice actors has once again brought light to this topic. The issue got attention when one of those voice actors, Pascale Chemin, posted a detailed write-up on Instagram.
It revealed that the new contract required voice actors to give up all rights to their voices. This simply means that in the future, the companies behind the game could use AI to create new lines by using their voices without needing or hiring the voice actors.
This move could only benefit the company while putting an end to real human jobs and creativity. Moreover, the contract didn’t mention any limit, suggesting that EA and Respawn wanted to have limitless use of their voices.
Standing Against AI Takeover
Chemin is a voice behind Wraith and has played the character for six years, still she didn’t sign the contract as it goes totally against something which is truly opposed, i.e., AI voice generation. The 31 voice actors had a discussion about it and then they decided to walk away.
Many of her followers showed support on her post as the whole gaming community is also against the use of AI in games, as they believe it kills the developer’s creativity and the true essence of a title.
However, EA hasn’t given any response on it and now the community is waiting to see what the next step will be. Here is the complete translated version of Chemin’s post:
Before even being called in for a recording session for a video game, the studio sent me (as well as 31 other actors in the cast) an email with a confidentiality and rights transfer annex directly from the publisher.
To be called in and therefore to work, I must first accept these clauses. Upon first reading, they are not acceptable, which was confirmed to me by a lawyer specializing in audiovisual law. I find myself forced to let go of the role to which I have lent my voice for almost six years. Under no circumstances can I force the rest of the cast to do the same, but one thing is certain: if we all refuse, it can have an impact.
Without hesitation, the 31 other actors refused to sign this annex.
We have written a collective refusal, which we have sent to the publisher and are awaiting a response. Because if we are not united now so that a clause protecting our voices is officially included in our contracts—and for all studios recording video games—we will never have it, and we are heading straight for disaster.
Of course, refusing to work at this moment is absurd; there is little to no work for some (many, in fact), and people are speaking out more and more. So yes, a paycheck is welcome. But here, we are not just being asked to work—we are being asked to give up our expertise to train generative AI that will replace us tomorrow.
We are being asked to accept something that goes against what we are fighting for. We are being asked to shoot ourselves in the foot. We are being asked to endorse it! #AI
