Actor removed from Fire Emblem: Three Houses following Tumblr apology

An actor in Fire Emblem: Three Houses will be replaced in an update coming to the game later, following a controversy in which the actor apparently violated a non-disclosure agreement by discussing his role prior to the game’s July 26 launch.

Christopher Niosi, the jettisoned actor, also wrote a lengthy Tumblr confessional a week ago in which he apologized to numerous friends, professional colleagues and romantic partners for abusive behavior, outraging many online. Following the Tumblr post, Niosi was discovered in the credits for the mobile game Fire Emblem Heroes. One of the incidents for which he apologized involved bragging about his role as the player character’s male avatar in Three Houses, in apparent violation of an NDA covering that work.

Nintendo World Report learned that Niosi was removed from Heroes credits earlier this week, and his role was given to another actor (Zach Aguilar). That held up the release of the Byleth character in Heroes. Then, on Friday, NWR confirmed with Nintendo of America that Niosi will be replaced in an update planned for Three Houses.

“After assessing the situation, we decided to re-record the character’s voiceovers in Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Fire Emblem Heroes with another actor,” NOA told NWR.

Though Niosi has a lead role in Three Houses, the dialogue is comparatively small, limited to contextual grunting and threats in combat. In most of his other scenes, Byleth is a passive and silent participant as NPCs speak.

Niosi’s voice acting career dates to 2010, and includes roles in Dust: An Elysian Tail, Smite, Octopath Traveler and MapleStory 2. He was also an animator on Skullgirls and A Hat in Time.

Fire Emblem Heroes launched in 2017 and Fire Emblem: Three Houses launched yesterday for Nintendo Switch.