Mega Man: Dual Override is finally bringing back Mega Man with a brand new game, but it’ll have a key change since Ben Diskin won’t be reprising his role as the Blue Bomber.
Diskin took to social media and shared the news with a lengthy statement. While Capcom wanted him to return, it came with the condition that he “work without the protections of a union contract.”
Given the state of AI currently, Diskin felt it would be too much of a risk to come back for Mega Man: Dual Override, even though there would apparently be certain protections in place. He would only move forward with a union contract, but that wasn’t something Capcom was up for.
The full statement reads:
“With a broken Blue Bomber heart, I am no longer the voice of Mega Man. I was asked to return for Mega Man: Dual Override, but only on the condition I work without the protections of a union contract. I was told there are ‘full A.I. protections in place that guarantee in writing that [my] voice will never be used for A.I. development’ but was also told ‘with certainty, from [Capcom], that the project will not go union.’
While I certainly appreciate the acknowledgement of the concern around AI, working without a contract I can realistically enforce isn’t something I can risk. The only way to enforce non-union contracts like this involves personally taking giant companies like Capcom to court and suing if I thought they’d used AI. I don’t have the mental, emotional, or monetary strength to survive a protracted legal fight. In my heart, I want to believe Capcom would never use AI…
But in my HEAD, I’m aware that basically every major corporation is looking to incorporate generative AI to save money. The video game industry is facing record layoffs and huge amounts of uncertainty. I need a union contract to feel safe.
I truly wish Capcom was at least willing to speak with SAG-AFTRA about doing this game union. I expressed that I’d even be willing to work on a LOWER-budget union contract if it meant this flipped. It genuinely wasn’t about the money for me.
It’s been an honor voicing Mega Man in Mega Man 11, the best-selling game in the series’ history and watching Mega Man reclaim his rightful place as a gaming icon. I hope Mega Man: Dual Override is even more successful than 11 and that everyone enjoys all the hard work the devs are putting into it. ‘Good luck out there, Mega!’ I just wish I could have been there with you.”
Mega Man: Dual Override will be appearing on Nintendo Switch 2 an Switch in 2027. The game’s Robot Masters were recently teased, which we have here.
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