SAG-AFTRA has issued a Do Not Work Order against Capcom due to the company's failure to begin the signatory process

Mega Man Dual Override — Image credit: Capcom

SAG-AFTRA, the organization representing 160,000 media professionals including actors and voice talent, has announced a "Do Not Work Order" concerning Capcom's forthcoming Mega Man game, Mega Man: Dual Override.

The union explained in a statement that the game's producer had not begun the necessary signatory procedures: "SAG-AFTRA members are instructed to refrain from participating in any work related to this production until further notice."

This directive impacts Ben Diskin, a voice actor who will be unable to continue his role as Mega Man. Diskin shared on BlueSky: "While approached again for Mega Man: Dual Override, it was conditional on foregoing union contract protections."

He was assured that there were "full A.I. protections to prevent the use of [his] voice for A.I. development," but Capcom supposedly confirmed the project would not involve union contracts. Despite acknowledging AI concerns, Diskin was uncomfortable with the risks associated with non-union agreements: "Pursuing a legal case against a major corporation like Capcom is daunting and beyond my resources," he stated.

Diskin continued: "Although I trust Capcom to avoid AI misuse, the broader shift towards generative AI in large firms makes me uneasy. With the gaming industry facing layoffs and uncertainty, a union contract is crucial for my security."

He further expressed his willingness to work under a reduced-budget union contract to change the situation, reiterating his commitment: "Voice acting as Mega Man in Mega Man 11, which became the series' best-selling title, has been a privilege," he noted in a subsequent message.

The union had voted for a strike in late July 2024 following unsuccessful talks with industry leaders on AI and rights issues. By March 2025, discussions remained stalled, especially after voice actors from Zenless Zone Zero faced repercussions for siding with SAG-AFTRA efforts.

After nearly a year of protests, SAG-AFTRA officially ended its strike in June the previous year.