Genshin Impact's Big New PS5, PS4 Story Has Been Downgraded in English
No voice acting for key characters
by Sammy Barker · Push SquareThose of you enjoying your adventure in Natlan, the newest region added to Genshin Impact, will have to do so without voice acting – as it’s speculated the ongoing strikes involving union SAG-AFTRA mean some of the characters in the latest story update are lacking their English dub. Chinese juggernaut HoYoverse hasn’t commented specifically on the issue, simply citing “recording arrangements” as the cause.
Key characters like Kinich and Kachina aren’t voiced in the crucial new Archon quests, which continue the main plot of the free-to-play RPG’s storyline.
Sometimes side-quests and events in Genshin Impact don’t have voice acting, although its main storyline is always fully voiced. It’s possible the voices will be patched in later, although this creates a dilemma for players: those who finish the latest quests within a designated time period will be rewarded with in-game currency for doing so. Waiting for the dub to be added could mean missing out on Primogems.
There’s been all sorts of drama involving HoYoverse’s voice talent recently, with actor Adam Michael Gold’s performance as Argenti and Tail in Honkai: Star Rail recently replaced, along with Courtney Lin’s turn as Huohuo. We’d never considered the potential issues created by maintaining a growing cast like this in a live service environment, but as its games grow in scale, it’s clear this is becoming a real headache.
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There’s nothing to explicitly confirm the SAG-AFTRA strikes are the culprit, although they seem like the likeliest reason. Of course, we respect and support the actors’ rights to fight back over AI concerns, but also it’s a shame to see the final products affected like this. The bottom line is that Natlan’s story simply isn’t going to hit as hard without its voice talent. Perhaps that helps illustrate the union’s overarching argument, but ultimately it’s the players’ experience that’s going to suffer.
[source hoyolab.com, via eurogamer.net]
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About Sammy Barker
As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.
Comments 25
- 1
- Bunchesopuppies
- 3:48pm
Most people probably have the Japanese voices on as the fairy that accompanies you has the most annoying voice ever.
- 2
- Pushsquarian
- 3:54pm
🤔 TTS as a placeholder would probably not be ideal but it's something worth testing
Can't believe Ajaw was also affected but not emergency food 😏
Pretty sure I’d be playing with English subtitles and Japanese voices enabled anyway, if I ever get back to this game. Usually do that given the option.
- 4
- Pushsquarian
- 4:02pm
@Bunchesopuppies
I'm genuinely curious, switching audio resources just because of Paimon-intolerance?
Be missing out on all the english talent there buddy 🤷
- 5
- Orpheus79V
- 4:03pm
Surely you would be playing in Chinese and not Japanese if you're not going with the English dub?
It's like saying you play Metro in Polish because you don't like the English voice acting.
I am sympathetic to the current voes of VA, even if I seldom enjoy overly "cinematic" games.
What I don't understand is why the industry relies so heavily of the US in this day and age. Gaming is a global market and I'm sure there are many hungry VA companies around the world that could deliver an flawless english dub.
In my opinion gaming would be healthier and cheaper to produce if it moved farther away from "Hollywood" not closer as they seem to want.
As a certified hoyo cutscene skipper, this hasn't affected me in the slightest cause I mash through any little piece of dialogue that comes out of these games like if it was a QTE
I hope the VAs are successful in their fight tho
- 8
- nessisonett
- 4:15pm
With the amount of money they've made, you'll think they could afford to pay the Voice actors
- 10
- TechaNinja
- 4:19pm
@LuXifer True. Everything relies too much on America still. Instead of being able to stand on its own.
Just use AI. Who cares about voice actors anyway, get a real job.
- 12
- get2sammyb
- 4:46pm
@Judal27 Isn't chatting like 90% of the game, though?
@riceNpea what equals a real job to you?
- 14
- Orpheus79V
- 4:52pm
@nessisonett This and a bit of casual sinophobia for some people.
- 15
- MidnightDragonDX
- 5:04pm
@RawnDawn It’s not the money. It’s AI concerns. Several of the striking actors have said that. They got the money sorted out a while back.
@LuXifer It's interesting because for example Square Enix frequently hires Side UK to handle the voice acting (DQ, FFXIV from Heavensward onwards, FFXVI) with their pool of British TV and Stage actors, but also hires US studios to do it (VII Remake).
@riceNpea Most "voice" actors are normal actors. Acting is a real job.
- 18
- themightyant
- 5:23pm
@Bunchesopuppies @Pushsquarian I kinda get the Eng VA Paimon dislike, she's actually had to change the voice, which used to be more pleasant at the start, as it was ruining her voice. But there is so much talent in the ENG VA cast, I tried JAP but missed Keith Silverstein as Zhongli and Ray Chase as Neuvillette too much. "Osmanthus wine and all"
- 19
- AgentMantis
- 5:36pm
Paimon's voice has been toned down significantly since the early days. The English voice cast is top tier with Itto being my personal highlight. I fully support the strike, threatening to automate the creative processes behind games will only end in tears for us gamers.
@get2sammyb sorta, mostly star rail and zzz. I kinda blew past the tour de inferno update for zzz in like an hr or 2, cause of being able to skip scenes entirely 😅. But genshin has the nice big open world that's fun to explore. And ofc, the grind and character building is just addictive
I've tried to get into their stories but the writing is just... yea
- 21
- thefourfoldroot1
- 6:03pm
So they “protect” their work by refusing to work, and then AI can just swoop in. Real clever.
@MidnightDragonDX oh, glad they got their dough but yeah, hopefully they win against the ai voices.
- 23
- Pushsquarian
- 6:42pm
@themightyant
Interesting insight, my experience was unpleasant at the starting regions and then came as natural soon as the lame inside jokes wears out.
And don't forget, "What is it, what is it? **gasp** Is it another Paimon? what a Catch!"
Oh, Ray Chase as 4.2's host? 👌👍
Downgraded? You mean upgraded right?
- 25
- nessisonett
- 16m ago
@LowDefAl British voice casts are the best cause then you realise that important characters are voiced by someone off Eastenders.
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