The SAG-AFTRA union, representing approximately 160,000 actors, voice actors, and other media professionals, has announced a "Do Not Work Order" regarding Mega Man: Dual Override from Capcom. The document prohibits union members from participating in work on the project until further notice.
The organization's statement says that the game's producer has not started the process of signing an agreement with the union. In this regard, SAG-AFTRA members are required to refuse any acting services and performance of work falling under the union's jurisdiction for this project.
One consequence of the decision is that voice actor Ben Diskin will not be able to reprise the role of the series' main character, Mega Man. According to Diskin, he was offered to return to the role in the new game, but only on the condition of working without the protection of a union contract.
The actor noted that he was informed of the existence of "full guarantees of protection against the use of AI", which allegedly stipulate that his voice will not be used for the development of artificial intelligence technologies. However, at the same time, according to him, representatives of Capcom made it clear that the project would not be transferred to a union contract.
Diskin emphasized that without a legally protected agreement, he cannot take risks. According to him, the only way to protect such informal agreements is, in case of violation, to personally sue a large company, which requires significant financial and emotional resources.