As a dedicated player and follower of the gaming industry, I find myself deeply concerned by the recent revelations surrounding the working conditions of some English voice actors for the globally acclaimed game, Genshin Impact. Despite the game's monumental success, generating billions in revenue, several performers are reporting they have not been paid for their work for months, leaving them in precarious financial situations. This issue, coming to light in 2026, underscores persistent problems in the industry regarding fair compensation and contract security for creative talent, even on the most profitable projects.

The situation was brought to public attention by voice actor Brandon Winckler, who has lent his voice to various roles in the game, including Kazuha's Friend. In a series of tweets, Winckler revealed he had been waiting between four to eight months for payment for his work on what he described as "literally the BIGGEST video game project out there." His frustration was palpable, stating, "It's really hard to justify working on something for the sake of work when you can't afford to eat." He emphasized that many non-union productions face similar payment delays, where owed amounts of $500 or $1,000 quickly accumulate, creating significant hardship. Winckler has been clear that he believes the fault lies not with the game's developer, HoYoverse (formerly Mihoyo), but with the external dubbing studio, Formosa Group, which handles the English voice recording. He has stated he will not return to work on the game unless it operates under a union contract.

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Winckler is not alone. Corina Boettger, the voice behind the beloved travel companion Paimon—a character with thousands of lines of dialogue—echoed these struggles. Responding to Winckler, Boettger disclosed they are still awaiting payment for recording sessions dating back to December 2022. "I am owed THOUSANDS of dollars. I am struggling currently to pay rent because of this," Boettger wrote, adding, "This project has made BILLIONS. This project should be Union." The emotional toll is severe; Boettger mentioned being at risk of homelessness and unable to afford legal recourse to challenge the non-payment, highlighting a stark power imbalance. While Winckler points to Formosa, Boettger expressed uncertainty about whether the responsibility lies with the studio or HoYoverse itself.

  • Key Issues Identified:

    • Extended payment delays of 4-8 months.

    • Lack of communication from the contracting parties.

    • Financial instability for performers, risking basic needs like housing.

    • The non-union status of the production, leaving actors without collective bargaining power.

This is not Formosa Group's first encounter with such controversies. The studio, previously known as Formosa Interactive, was a central figure in the 2016-2017 video game voice actor strikes organized by SAG-AFTRA, which targeted major publishers like Activision and Electronic Arts. The current dispute with Genshin Impact voice actors feels like a distressing echo of that past conflict. Notably, voice actors for the game in other regions and for HoYoverse's other major title, Honkai: Star Rail, have not reported similar systemic payment issues, further isolating the problem to this specific English dubbing pipeline.

In response to the growing outcry, HoYoverse issued a statement expressing regret over the situation. The company asserted that it values the work of all involved and has made its payments to the recording studio on time. "We immediately urged the studio to pay our voice actors from our past payment," the statement read. "Meanwhile, we are also seeking alternative solutions." This statement, while acknowledging the problem, places the onus for resolution on Formosa Group. As of now, there has been no public response from Formosa regarding these allegations.

The central demand from Winckler, Boettger, and their supporters is clear: unionization. Both actors have called for HoYoverse to "make the game SAG," meaning bringing the production under the umbrella of the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). A union contract would provide standardized, fair wages, guaranteed payment timelines, health benefits, and residuals—protections that are glaringly absent in the current arrangement.

Actor Role(s) Reported Issue Suggested Solution
Brandon Winckler Kazuha's Friend, Additional Voices Unpaid for 4-8 months Union contract (SAG-AFTRA)
Corina Boettger Paimon Unpaid since Dec 2022 Unionization & fair contracts

This call for unionization resonates powerfully within the current entertainment landscape. SAG-AFTRA has been actively engaged in strikes and negotiations to secure better treatment for performers across film, television, and gaming. While unionization is not a magic bullet—negotiations remain challenging—it represents a crucial step toward systemic change and professional dignity. The support from the Genshin Impact community has been substantial, with fans and fellow actors rallying online to demand justice and fair treatment for the voices that bring Teyvat to life.

As we move forward, this incident serves as a critical reminder of the human cost behind our favorite digital worlds. The success of a game like Genshin Impact, which brings joy to millions, should not be built on the financial insecurity of its creators. The path forward requires accountability from all contracting parties and a serious commitment to ethical labor practices. For the sake of the talented individuals who give these games their soul, the industry must do better. The hope now is that the combined pressure from actors, fans, and the developer's own stated intentions will lead to a swift and just resolution, setting a new standard for future collaborations in gaming.