What Arc Raiders' AI Voice Debate Means for Actors

The debate highlights how AI voice tech is reshaping NPC work in games, pitting production flexibility against concerns about opportunities for professional actors.

The debate highlights how AI voice tech is reshaping NPC work in games, pitting production flexibility against concerns about opportunities for professional actors.

Key points - Arc Raiders' audio director says actors would 'go crazy' reading every NPC line. - The game's AI text-to-speech training data was made with actors' performances. - Embark says it is 'not in the industry of replacing actors.' - Actress Diana Gardner called the tech 'freeing' for taking other jobs. - Nexon's CEO said to 'assume that every game company is now using AI.'

Timeline - Last year: Arc Raiders faces backlash over AI text-to-speech for NPC characters. - Previously: Embark co-founder Stefan Strandberg says there's 'no end goal in replacing any actors.' - Recently: Audio director Bence Pajor defends the tech in Embark's video series.

FAQ

Q: Is Arc Raiders replacing actors with AI? A: Embark says no. CCO Stefan Strandberg insists the studio is 'not in the industry of replacing actors,' calling its approach 'the opposite.'

Q: Why does Embark use AI text-to-speech for NPCs? A: Audio director Bence Pajor says recording every line with actors wouldn't be feasible, and the tech gives the small team flexibility to change gameplay decisions.

Q: What do the actors think about it? A: Diana Gardner, who plays Celeste, called the tech 'freeing' because it lets her take other jobs without cancelling gigs for short sessions.