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Nintendo has a long-standing reputation for putting its fans first and delivering high-quality products. This commitment is evident in their approach to game development, often opting to delay releases to ensure quality, and in their other media ventures such as theme parks and movies. However, this commitment also translates into strict controls over their intellectual property (IP), especially regarding their voice actors. Voice acting in N intendo games has evolved significantly over the years. While it hasn’t been a focal point in the past, several franchises now feature prominent voice work. At MCM Comic Con, Nintendo’s voice actors discussed the restrictions they face, noting that non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) prevent them from recording voice recordings outside of games without the company’s approval.
Charles Martinet, the longtime voice of Mario, and Patricia Summersett, the voice of Zelda in recent games, shared their experiences. Martinet acknowledged the restrictions during his tenure, and Summersett elaborated on the reasoning behind these NDAs: “You sign these very strict NDAs, [but] you know what you’re signing up for. It’s important to respect the IP and do it the way Nintendo does it, which they do very well. I know it can be disappointing sometimes when people want to record [us]. But when we’re recording and performing the lyrics, you can extract that, now you have AI and all that stuff. It’s not up to us.” Another voice actor noted that while Nintendo would not punish infractions harshly, they would make it clear that the actor was not a “team player”. The consensus among actors is an understanding of Nintendo’s need to protect its characters and actors’ performances.