Arc Raiders exceeded expectations upon its launch last fall, achieving strong player numbers, and sales. However, the game initially drew some criticism for its use of generative artificial intelligence for voice acting, a practice Embark Studios has since scaled back.
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Embark CEO Patrick Söderlund revealed that Arc Raiders now features less AI-generated voice function than it did at release. The company has brought in professional voice actors to replace several lines of dialogue, acknowledging a noticeable difference in quality.
“We re-recorded some of the lines after launch, and we did that with real voices. There is a difference in quality. A real professional actor is better than AI. That’s just how We see,” Söderlund said.
He clarified that AI remains a part of Embark’s workflow, including in voice acting. The team utilizes the technology in testing phases, for example, to determine the optimal delivery of a line. This reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where AI tools are being integrated into creative processes to enhance efficiency, even as concerns about their impact on artistic roles grow.
While major technology companies are heavily investing in AI, resistance to the technology is increasing among consumers and many developers. For instance, Larian, the developer of Baldur’s Gate 3, faced significant backlash for plans to use generative AI to create concept art for its next game – Divinity. The developer has since reversed course.
Other industry players have actively avoided the technology. Games Workshop, the maker of Warhammer, and Hooded Horse, the publisher of Manor Lords, have both taken a public stance against its use, as reported by Gamer.no and Gamer.no, respectively.
