Arc Raiders devs explain why generative AI voice acting was necessary
Developers at Embark Studios have addressed the use of generative AI for voice acting in Arc Raiders. While the team argues that the technology was used to manage the immense workload of recording endless variations of lines, they have acknowledged the criticism and are currently working to replace AI-generated audio with actual voice performances.
In a recent video focused on the sound design of Arc Raiders, audio director Bence Pajor explained that using generative AI was a practical solution to the complexities of live-service development. Because new features, weapons, and items require constant dialogue updates, recording every possible iteration manually would be impractical. Pajor stated that without this technology, actors "would just go crazy" trying to record the sheer volume of lines required for every gameplay variable.
The process involved using performances from real actors to train AI models, which then generated lines for pings, quests, and mission briefings. While this helped avoid scheduling conflicts and the need for constant studio sessions, it drew significant backlash for breaking player immersion. Additionally, the method raised concerns regarding ownership. Voice actress Diana Gardner, who voices Celeste, noted that while the contracts were fair, she felt a lack of ownership over the final product after her hours of work were processed through AI.
Embark Studios is now moving away from this hybrid model. CCO Stefan Strandberg emphasized that the company is not in the business of replacing actors. Instead, he stated that they aim to "celebrate the performance and give them more space," confirming that the studio is actively working to replace AI-generated lines with full, human-recorded performances to improve the game's quality.
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