Recent times have been tumultuous for the voice acting industry, with "earthquakes" occurring in its two main pillars: games and audio productions.
In the gaming sector, "Dust and Salt" decided to hide all male characters and switch to an all-female cast to address the "won't play if there are men" sentiment. However, just as it achieved some success, it faced a new crisis. Officials announced the termination of cooperation with several voice actors and the replacement of Chinese voice-overs for 13 characters, which appears to be a collective resignation.
In audio productions, during the audio adaptation of Lin Yi-han's novel "Fang Si-qi's First Love Paradise," it was discovered that inappropriate background sounds were added to parts involving sexual assault, causing controversy.
These incidents have sparked netizens' long-accumulated dissatisfaction with the voice acting industry. Male voice actors frequently become embroiled in various controversies, while female voice actors collectively resign. Zhao Yang, a voice actor for "Honkai: Star Rail," revealed that the resignation of female voice actors from "Dust and Salt" was due to communication issues regarding work content, with voice direction adjustments occurring after the game shifted towards a male-oriented approach.
These events reflect the voice acting industry's transition from behind-the-scenes to the forefront. With the development of film, TV, and gaming industries, voice actors have more exposure opportunities. Some well-known voice actors have started to establish studios and pursue idol-like careers. The rise of anime games and audio productions has also benefited the entire voice acting industry.
However, as commercialization increases, some issues have emerged in the voice acting industry. Some young actors imitate their predecessors in pursuing idol-like careers, and different factions have formed within the circle. These changes bring new challenges and opportunities to the voice acting industry.
[Image omitted here]
Overall, the voice acting industry is in a transitional period, facing both opportunities and challenges. How to maintain professionalism while commercializing, and how to manage relationships with game companies, publishers, and other partners are issues the voice acting industry needs to consider.