The recent launch of Genshin Impact Version 5.1 has introduced new features and advanced the narrative surrounding the Natlan Archon quests, which aim to tackle the nation’s ongoing internal strife. However, players have quickly noticed the absence of English voice-overs for certain characters in the new Archon quests. This concern was addressed in the official patch notes for Genshin Impact Version 5.1.
The absence of English voice acting has been attributed to ‘recording arrangements,’ rooted in the ongoing strike by SAG-AFTRA, which represents English voice actors.
This article delves into the implications of the strike and explores the factors that have led to the lack of English voice-overs in specific content from Genshin Impact 5.1.
Kinich and Kachina: Missing English Voice-Overs in Genshin Impact 5.1
HoYoverse has publicly acknowledged the absence of English voice-overs for select characters in their patch notes for Genshin Impact 5.1. Their announcement states:
“Due to recording arrangements, some content in Version 5.1 does not have English voice-overs. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused.”
The lack of voice work for characters in the English adaptation of Genshin Impact stems from the ongoing SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strike, which began in July 2024. Numerous voice-over professionals have joined the strike to advocate for protections against AI technology encroaching on their work.
In recent times, the video game industry has seen a rise in the use of AI-generated voice-overs. SAG-AFTRA members are engaged in an indefinite strike to secure enhanced safeguards regarding these technologies.
Formosa Interactive LLC, the production house responsible for HoYoverse’s English voice work, is one of the companies at the center of the strike. As this studio has not met the artists’ demands, they have opted not to collaborate until their requests are fulfilled.
Up until now, the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike had not negatively impacted any previous live events related to Genshin Impact, making the absence of voice-overs in Version 5.1 a first.
Nevertheless, the character trailer and teaser for Natlan’s Kinich, along with the Collected Miscellany videos, have all been shared in Japanese on Genshin Impact’s English YouTube channel. Additionally, the Genshin Impact 5.1 English livestream was conducted by two members of the English localization team, rather than the regular voice actors.
Players now face the uncertainty of how this situation will evolve, particularly whether Kinich and Kachina will regain their voices in the concluding segment of the Archon Quest in future updates.
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