Arc Raiders Replaces AI Voices with Professional Actors

Since its debut last year, Arc Raiders has enjoyed considerable acclaim, yet it hasn’t escaped the scrutiny surrounding synthetic voice acting—a point of contention previously seen in Embark Studios’ other title, The Finals. In a recent discussion with GamesIndustry.biz, studio lead Patrick Söderlund clarified the developer’s evolving stance, noting a reduction in AI-generated dialogue while framing the technology as a “production tool” rather than a total replacement for human talent.

Söderlund revealed that several lines were re-recorded post-launch using professional actors to enhance authenticity. While the game initially utilized AI text-to-speech models—trained on the voices of hired performers—to handle the dynamic requirements of the in-match ping system, the primary motivation was operational agility. Embark aimed to update the live-service extraction shooter without the logistical hurdle of summoning actors back to the booth for every minor terminology update.

The quality gap remains a decisive factor for the studio head. “A real professional actor is better than AI; that’s just how it is,” Söderlund admitted, acknowledging a stark disparity in performance. He characterized AI as a means to prototype dialogue before final recording sessions, asserting that the technology is intended to augment the workflow. “We don’t necessarily believe in replacing humans with AI all the time,” he added, emphasizing that the studio views the tech as a way to work smarter.

Addressing concerns regarding fair compensation and the potential for bypassing industry standards, Söderlund insisted that Embark is not using technology to circumvent payroll. Actors are compensated for their studio time and receive licensing fees when their voices are utilized for the studio’s text-to-speech software. This collaborative approach ensures that even “select usage” of synthetic audio remains financially beneficial to the artists involved.

Beyond audio, Söderlund touched upon the game’s technical architecture, offering an insightful glimpse into modern game design. He clarified that the expansive landscapes in Arc Raiders are largely the result of overhauled development pipelines rather than procedural AI generation. By re-evaluating antiquated methods and toolsets, the team discovered more efficient ways to build high-fidelity environments without relying on traditional, labor-intensive cycles.

Despite Embark’s nuanced application of the technology, the broader industry remains deeply divided. Junghun Lee, CEO of publisher Nexon, sparked debate last year by claiming that AI adoption is universal across the sector—a statement that prompted sharp rebuttals from various developers. Nevertheless, the integration of AI remains a polarizing centerpiece of industry discourse, as evidenced by the intense but often directionless debates at this year’s Game Developers Conference.

Ultimately, while the fervor surrounding AI in game development shows no signs of dissipating, the actual implementation remains a trial-and-error process for many of the industry’s leading creators.

Source: Polygon