Activision has announced that it has replaced the voice actors for Call of Duty Black Ops 6 amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike

The SAG-AFTRA strike has led Activision to utilize new voice talent for some characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Players observed a difference in the voices for the characters William Peck and Samantha Maxis, prompting voice actor Zeke Alton to confirm that his role as Peck in the Zombies mode was indeed recast. Additionally, Alton's name has been removed from the game's credits.

Although actors in film and TV can go on strike during production, Side Letter Six allows work in interactive media to proceed. As Black Ops 6 was already in development before July 2024, Activision is legally allowed to replace actors who decide to strike.

Zeke Alton, in a conversation with Game Developer, expressed concerns about his reputation, stating that accredited performances could mislead fans. Despite the changes, Alton admires the creative team and is hopeful for future collaborations once actors receive assurances against generative AI exploitation.

Activision commented on the matter, emphasizing respect for the individual choices of performers and expressed the desire for a favorable resolution to ongoing talks with SAG-AFTRA.

Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA has introduced a new contract covering the localization of video games, as announced in mid-November. This Independent Interactive Localization Agreement addresses the translation of foreign language scripts into English, ensuring protections and job opportunities for performers against AI misuse.