French Apex Legends voice cast refuses contracts over "unacceptable" AI clause

The voice talent team that brings Apex Legends' characters to life in French has reportedly refused to sign contracts that would authorize their voices to be used to train AI.

Pascale Chemin - who has voiced French Wraith ever since the battle royale released in 2019 - did not specifically name Respawn publisher EA in her statement on Facebook, but did confirm she and 31 other voice actors have refused to sign paperwork ahead of a recording session.

"Before being even called in for a recording session of a video game, the studio sent me (and the 31 other VA in the casting) a mail containing an annex of confidentiality and handover directly from the publisher," Chemin wrote, as translated by ResetEra (via PCGamesInsider).

"I needed to accept these terms before being able to go work. I thought so when I read through the, and a legal expert specialised in audiovisual confirmed it: these terms weren't acceptable. I was now forced to give up the role I had been working on for almost six years. In no way could I force the rest of the casting members to do the same, but one thing was certain: if we all refused, it could maybe have an impact. Otherwise, it would have been in vain."

Chemin added that "without any hesitation," all 32 cast members declined their contracts and wrote a "collective letter of refusal" to the publisher, widely considered to be EA.

"If we aren't united now so that a clause that protects our voices can be officially added in our contracts - and not just for us here, but for every video game dubbing studios - we'll never get one, and we'll be heading for a disaster."

"Of course, to refuse to work in the present day is nonsensical. There is barely any work available for some (many) of us, if any, and we are increasingly struggling with money," Chemin added.

"Yes, a salary would be welcome. But we aren't simply asked to work. We are asked to give up our expertise to train the generative AI that will replace us tomorrow. We are asked to agree to what we specifically fight against. We are asked to shoot ourselves in the foot. We are asked to support AI."

Neither publisher EA nor developer Respawn have commented publicly on the statement. We've reached out to both companies for comment.

Back in December, Activision recast some of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's voice actors amid the SAG-AFTRA strike. Unlike film and TV actors, who can strike even if a project is in-production, a clause known as Side Letter Six permits work on interactive media to continue. And whilst members on daily contracts may choose to strike in solidarity, given Black Ops 6 was in development before July 2024, Activision is permitted to replace striking actors.