“I Want A Union Contract To Really feel Protected” – Mega Man 11 Voice Actor Not Returning For Twin Override

After what’s felt like a lifetime, Capcom lastly confirmed Mega Man: Twin Override, the most recent entry within the iconic side-scrolling motion collection. Scheduled to launch on Swap and Swap 2 in 2027, there’s not an entire lot we all know in regards to the sport at this early stage, however what we do now know is that Mega Man 11 voice actor Ben Diskin will not be returning to voice the Blue Bomber.

Talking in a thread on Bluesky, Diskin confirmed that he was requested to come back again for the upcoming title, however Capcom was unwilling to offer a union contract. Regardless of providing assurances that Diskin’s voice would not be for AI growth sooner or later, Diskin felt that as a result of unstable state of the trade proper now, he could not take the chance.

This is a have a look at Diskin’s full assertion:

“With a damaged Blue Bomber coronary heart, I’m not the voice of Mega Man.

“I used to be requested to return for Mega Man: Twin Override, however solely on the situation I work with out the protections of a union contract. I used to be informed there are “full A.I. protections in place that assure in writing that [my] voice won’t ever be used for A.I. growth” however was additionally informed “with certainty, from [Capcom], that the undertaking is not going to go union.”

“Whereas I definitely recognize the acknowledgement of the priority round AI, working with no contract I can realistically implement is not one thing I can threat. The one strategy to implement non-union contracts like this entails personally taking big firms like Capcom to court docket and suing if I assumed they’d used AI. I haven’t got the psychological, emotional, or financial energy to outlive a protracted authorized struggle.

“In my coronary heart, I need to consider Capcom would by no means use AI… However in my HEAD, I am conscious that principally each main company is trying to incorporate generative AI to save cash. The online game trade is dealing with file layoffs and big quantities of uncertainty. I would like a union contract to really feel secure. (Additionally, as an apart, I do not suppose it is smart to strike for over 11 months to get enforceable AI abuse protections after which flip proper round and return to work with out them.)

“I really want Capcom was at the least prepared to talk with SAG-AFTRA about doing this sport union.I expressed that I would even be prepared to work on a LOWER-budget union contract if it meant this flipped. It genuinely wasn’t in regards to the cash for me.

“It has been an honor voicing Mega Man in Mega Man 11, the best-selling sport within the collection’ historical past and watching Mega Man reclaim his rightful place as a gaming icon. I hope Mega Man: Twin Override is much more profitable than 11 and that everybody enjoys all of the exhausting work the devs are placing into it.

“Good luck on the market, Mega!” I simply want I might have been there with you.”

Diskin’s message has been met with unwavering help from followers and fellow voice actors. Yuri Lowenthal, who has offered voice work for video games like Xenoblade Chronicles X, Persona 3 Reload, and Mortal Kombat 1, responded to easy say “You’re the better of us, Ben”.

So we’ll have to attend and see who Capcom has lined as much as substitute Diskin. It is possible we can’t hear something for fairly a while given the sport’s slightly obscure 2027 launch window, however we’ll be sure you let you understand as quickly as we are able to.