miHoYo, the developer of the incredibly popular action role-playing video gameGenshin Impact, has made a statement regarding the sexual misconduct controversy surrounding one of the English voice actors. The actor in question, Elliot Gindi, who isbest known for voicing over Tighnari, recently faced allegations of grooming and sexual harassment via social media platforms, leading to a decision to recast the character.The allegations gained widespread attention when a former moderator onGindi’s Discord and Twitch channels shared a 19-page documentcontaining chat logs from three accusers. The document outlines various allegations, including emotional abuse, blackmail, and transphobic remarks made by Gindi against individuals over the course of late 2022. Additionally, the accusers claim that Gindi leveraged his popularity in the gaming community to sexually harass fans, including minors.RELATED:Genshin Impact Announces Version 3.5 Special ProgramThese severe allegations caused a widespread response from fans and the gaming community,prompting miHoYo to issue a statementexpressing deep remorse for the harm caused to fans, the gaming community, and all those impacted. The company further promised to take necessary measures and to keep everyone updated about the situation. Now, miHoYo has officially confirmed through a tweet from theGenshin ImpactTwitter account that Elliot Gindi, will no longer be voicing the character in subsequent versions.
The tweet further states that the company is currently in communication with the voice recording agencies to discuss matters of casting and re-recording. The company has also pledged to gradually replace Tighnari’s existing in-game voice lines and will announce these updates in a clear and transparent manner, so players can easily stay informed about the changes.
While the news of the replacement may have been disappointing for some fans who enjoyed Gindi’s performance, the community’s response has been positive overall. The happy comment section suggests that most of theGenshin Impactplayers are supportive of the decision and appreciate the efforts to ensure a safe and respectful work environment for all involved.
The issue of sexual harassment in the gaming industry, like in many other sectors, has long been a difficult one to tackle. However, with the recent surge of attention and support for victims, the public discourse has become more receptive toward individuals who speak up against abusive behavior. This shift in attitude is a culmination of years of awareness campaigns that have extended to the corridors of power,including the U.S. Congress, where the significance of tackling these issues has been emphasized. Gindi’s case is a testament to the fact that these efforts are finally bearing fruit.
Genshin Impactis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, and mobile devices. A Switch version is in development.
