Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Bayonetta 3 report claims Hellena Taylor was offered at least $15,000 to reprise role

By George Yang October 18, 2022

The original voice actor of Bayonetta, Hellena Taylor, was reportedly offered between $3,000 to $4,000 per recording session to work on Bayonetta 3. The report comes after Taylor claimed she was offered a flat $4,000 to reprise the role, in a series of videos calling on fans to boycott the upcoming game.

According to Bloomberg, Bayonetta 3 developer PlatinumGames was going to have Taylor reprise her role as the character for at least five studio sessions. Each session was reportedly going to pay between $3,000 to $4,000, which would amount to at least $15,000 total. However, Taylor reportedly asked for a total sum of six figures as well as residuals for Bayonetta 3. PlatinumGames declined Taylor’s offer and after negotiations, the developer began to look for a new voice actor.

PlatinumGames reportedly did offer Taylor a cameo afterward in Bayonetta 3 for one session, which would net her $4,000. If the report is accurate, that offer may have been what Taylor was referring to in her initial videos over the past weekend.

Last weekend, Bayonetta's former voice actor called for fans to boycott the new game, saying she was offered just $4,000 to work on it. Her Twitter videos went viral and stoked a debate over voice actor wages. But the full story is much more complicated… https://t.co/qPa8grfCtq

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) October 18, 2022

When reached out for comment, Taylor told Bloomberg that this sequence of events is “an absolute lie” and that PlatinumGames is trying to save face. “I would like to put this whole bloody franchise behind me quite frankly get on with my life in the theatre,” Taylor says.

Bloomberg also reports that Bayonetta 3 had higher acting costs than other games because Nintendo relied on unionized voice actors. That resulted in a minimum of around $900 per four-hour recording session as well as bonuses.

Yesterday, Bayonneta’s new voice actor, Jennifer Hale, took to Twitter and said she was under a non-disclosure agreement and couldn’t comment on the situation at the moment. However, she wished that all parties would reach a resolution amicably.

Topics

George Yang is a freelance games writer for Digital Trends. He has written for places such as IGN, GameSpot, The Washington…

Gaming

Splatoon 3: Best abilities in the game

An inkling rides a crab tank in Splatoon 3.

In the ink-filled world of Splatoon, you are given a ton of unique tools to spread your team's color all across the map. This will serve several purposes, from building up your points, letting you move faster, and of course, splatting your opposition. Your main method of ink dispersal will come via the many different weapons you can choose from. From basic blasters to paint rollers and even windshield wipers, you're never at a loss for options when it comes to spraying ink.

Abilities are supplemental skills that come in two main categories: abilities tied to weapons and abilities you can slot into any weapon. In total, Splatoon 3 has 26 to pick from, making it quite a lot to experiment with. Each one serves a different purpose, and while they all could technically fit someone's playstyle, there are clearly a few that outshine the rest. Before you jump into your next Turf War, check out which are the best abilities to take with you in Splatoon 3.

Gaming

Splatoon 3 beginner’s guide: 6 tips and tricks to get started

splatoon review mem3

Get your splattershots ready because Splatoon 3 has arrived and is the next big multiplayer offering for the Nintendo Switch. This stylish and colorful shooter is one of Nintendo's newest franchises and is quite different from their usual style of game. As opposed to most of their offerings, Splatoon 3 is primarily an online multiplayer third-person shooter. Of course, they swap out guns and grenades for ink shooters and balloons. Still, for as approachable as this game is, there's a lot to learn to be the best squid on the block.

Splatoon 3 builds off of everything established in the first two games. There's certainly no need to play the others before this one, though coming in fresh will put you at an initial disadvantage. Thankfully, we've gone ahead and put together the best tips and tricks you need to know to start splatting the competition in no time. Here's a full beginner's guide for getting started in Splatoon 3.

Gaming

Bayonetta 3’s outrageous action has already cast a spell on me

Bayonetta smirks while falling through the sky below a massive fish-monster in Bayonetta 3.

Game previews should be taken with some skepticism. When you see one, you are looking at a single slice of the game, carefully curated to accentuate the best parts of the gameplay and presentation, while minimizing any potential shortcomings. When I had the chance to play 15 minutes of Bayonetta 3 behind closed doors at PAX West, I applied every bit of healthy cynicism I could muster, and came away with one conclusion.

I think the Switch exclusive could be in the running for game of the year. It's that good.
A demon-infused spectacle
Bayonetta 3 looks to continue the story of its titular witch heroine. Like the previous entries in the saga, it’s a fast-paced action game in the vein of Devil May Cry (which is no surprise, as Hideki Kamiya created both series). The eponymous Bayonetta hacks and slashes enemies with a mix of guns, melee weapons, powers, and demon summons. The series has always been a visual treat, but this newest entry looks like it may be an absolute feast.