Destiny 2 Heresy Faces Silent Dialogue Due to Ongoing SAG-AFTRA Strike

Destiny 2's silent voice lines highlight the impact of the SAG-AFTRA strike on gaming, raising concerns about industry-wide effects and player experience.

As I was reading through the latest Destiny 2 updates this week, I couldn't help but notice something concerning - Bungie's recent announcement about silent voice lines in the upcoming Heresy expansion. It's 2025, and we're now seeing the real-world consequences of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike that began last year. The strike, which centers around protecting voice actors from the increasing use of generative AI in gaming, has now officially reached one of gaming's biggest franchises.

The Silent Treatment in Heresy

Bungie's recent blog post revealed that several character voices in Destiny 2: Heresy will be completely absent. I find this particularly interesting because it's not just a minor inconvenience - the developers have had to implement specific measures to handle this situation. They've enabled subtitles by default for the entire release, which honestly makes me wonder just how extensive the missing dialogue really is.

What strikes me most is the transparency here. Bungie isn't trying to hide this issue or brush it under the rug. They're including actual in-game warnings before activities that feature missing voice acting. This level of honesty is refreshing, though it does make me concerned about the player experience. Can you imagine encountering dramatic story moments with complete silence where emotional voice acting should be?

The Bigger Picture: Gaming Industry Wide Impact

Destiny 2 isn't alone in this struggle. When I look at the growing list of affected titles, it's becoming clear that this strike is creating ripple effects throughout the entire industry:

🔥 Major Titles Currently Impacted:

• Hideo Kojima's OD

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

• League of Legends

• And now Destiny 2: Heresy

Seven Months and Counting

What really worries me is that we're now in the seventh month of this strike with very little progress to show for it. Back in October 2024, there was a glimmer of hope when SAG-AFTRA struck a deal with Ethovox, an AI company. That agreement included session fees and revenue sharing, which seemed like a step in the right direction. But then negotiations fell through again, and here we are months later with no resolution in sight.

I've been thinking about what this means for us as players. So far, we haven't seen major game delays, but how long can developers continue working around these limitations? Bungie's solution of using subtitles is creative, but it's clearly a temporary fix. The real question is: when will we get the full, intended experience these games were designed to deliver?

The AI Controversy Continues

This situation really highlights the ongoing tension between technological advancement and human artistry in gaming. The voice actors' concerns about AI aren't unfounded - we've all seen how quickly generative AI has evolved. But as a player, I want to experience games with the emotional depth that only human performers can provide. There's something special about hearing genuine emotion in a character's voice that I worry AI can't fully replicate.

What's Next for Gamers?

Looking ahead, I can't help but feel that this is just the beginning. As the strike continues, more games will likely face similar challenges. The fact that subtitles have become the default solution shows how seriously developers are taking narrative continuity, but it's clearly not ideal.

Here's what I'm watching for in the coming months:

• Negotiation breakthroughs - Any signs of progress in SAG-AFTRA discussions

• Developer adaptations - How other studios handle similar challenges

• Player reactions - Community response to these compromised experiences

• Long-term solutions - Whether this accelerates AI development or strengthens support for human performers

This situation reminds me that games are collaborative art forms involving countless talented people. When one piece of that puzzle is missing, the entire experience suffers. I'm hopeful that a fair resolution can be found soon, because ultimately, everyone loses when creative voices are silenced - both literally and figuratively.