Arc Raiders devs defend GenAI voices; replacing lines with real actors
Embark Studio justifies using AI-generated voice lines but says it's now re-recording with real actors after heavy criticism.
What to know
- Embark Studio used genAI to generate voice lines for Arc Raiders based on real actors' performances, justifying it as necessary to handle scheduling complexity and volume.
- The studio is now replacing AI-generated lines with actual actor recordings, with CEO Söderlund crediting the game's financial success as enabling continued payments to performers.
- Voice actress Diana Gardner expressed ambivalence: appreciating reduced scheduling burden but uncertain whether she owns the AI-generated performance of her voice.
Embark's scheduling excuse is unconvincing; other games manage large dialogue trees without AI.
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“It's true, there's nothing actors hate more than large amounts of paying work”
jalefkowit · Mastodon ↗
Stefan Strandberg Chief Creative Officer, Embark StudioBence Pajor Audio Director, Embark StudioPatrick Söderlund CEO, Embark StudioDiana Gardner Voice actress (Celeste, Arc Raiders)
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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Strandberg denies replacing actors; Embark replacing AI lines with real recordings
CEO Patrick Söderlund revealed the studio is replacing AI-generated lines with actual recorded performances from actors. Strandberg stated the studio is "not in the industry of replacing actors," suggesting the shift reflects the game's financial success enabling continued actor payments.
“We are not in the industry of replacing actors, actually, I think quite the opposite. We should celebrate the performance, and we should give them more space.”
— Stefan Strandberg -
It's true, there's nothing actors hate more than large amounts of paying work https://www. rockpapershotgun.com/arc-raide rs-devs-embark-insist-that-using-genai-for-voice-lines-was-necessary-as-actors-would-just-go-crazy-if-they-had-to-read-all-of-that
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background
Voice actresses describe mixed experience with hybrid model — Actresses Jo Rideout and Diana Gardner, who recorded performances that were used to train the AI system, speak about their experience. Gardner appreciates the reduced scheduling burden but expresses uncertainty about owning her generated performance.
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background
Embark posts defense video on Arc Raiders AI voice use — In a video focused on audio design, Embark CCO Stefan Strandberg and audio director Bence Pajor explain the reasoning behind using genAI to generate voice lines based on real actors' performances. Pajor argues the approach was necessary because the ping system creates too many variables to record practically, and scheduling actors would be stressful.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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2 outlets Opinion: ARC Raiders Says Actors Would “Go Crazy” Reading Every Line. Have They Met a Voice Actor?
first by Voice Over Herald, 5d ago · also Rock Paper Shotgun
2 more headlines
- Arc Raiders devs say that using generative AI voice acting was necessary as actors "would just go crazy if they had to read all of that" Eurogamer.net · 5d ago
- Arc Raiders devs Embark insist that using genAI for voice lines was necessary, as "actors would just go crazy if they had to read all of that" Rock Paper Shotgun · 5d ago