🔗 Share this article

According to developer statements from Embark Studios, Arc Raiders appears to utilize generative systems for generating some dialogue. This revelation closely resembles the debate that emerged around the developer's previous success, The Finals.

Release Details

Released on October 30 for PS5, PC, and Microsoft's console, Arc Raiders is positioned as a gentler on-ramp to the loot-and-extract style. Compared to more hardcore titles like Escape from Tarkov, it aims to offer a more approachable experience. The game has largely been favorable reviews, currently holding a highly favorable reception on digital distribution based on over 8,000 player reviews.

Technology Statement

Via the title's dedicated Steam page, a specific statement regarding computer-assisted production invites parallels: In the production phase, we might apply procedural and AI-based technologies to assist with asset production. In every instance, the end product embodies the artistic expression of our creative personnel."

Past Issue

The Finals, a well-received online combat game known for its responsive controls and demolition-heavy maps, encountered backlash for its implementation of artificial intelligence ahead of its official launch. During its October 2023 open beta, the project's audio lead mentioned in a audio program that the studio had leveraged AI tools for developing vocal tracks. This statement generated instant backlash from voice actors and creative personnel, who argued that AI-generated voices were of reduced caliber compared to professional recordings and that such practices could eliminate voice-acting jobs.

Studio Explanation

In response, Embark Studios explained that they had contracted experienced voice actors to record original spoken content for The Finals, but expanded these with text-to-speech tools to create extra lines based on those professional deliveries. The developer's reasoning focused on the development speed achieved through this approach.

Current Situation

Concerning Arc Raiders, the game's design director commented that the game does not employ generative AI whatsoever," though he declined to elaborate on the exact nature of the platform statement. He did acknowledge, however, that the equivalent speech tools employed in The Finals was also applied in Arc Raiders.

"We use a blend of professional actor recordings and audio generated via TTS tools in our games, depending on the situation," stated a development team member. In certain cases, recording real scenes where performers collaborate — permitting actor relationships and conflict to define the final product — is something that adds depth to our digital universes that technology can't emulate. For different situations, notably when it involves contextual in-game action call-outs, text-to-speech enables us to have customized dialogue where we typically could not such as due to development pace."

Gamer Feedback

First reactions to the use of automated systems in Arc Raiders has been relatively mixed, especially during the early days. Certain gamers have shown clear disapproval.

• "AI voices are a blemish on an generally excellent game," wrote one user in a community thread.
• "I hate that they did it for The Finals and feel regret to hear they repeated it for this title," added another.
• The result was quickly detectable in the vocal lines for a specific character," noted a different user.

However, other players have expressed a more accepting attitude.

• It doesn't bother me, they hired talent and applied it appropriately," stated one forum user.
• "This is as ethical as it currently exists, unfortunately," added another.

The ongoing discussion surrounding technology adoption in video game production appears set to persist as developers balance development pace with creative quality and responsible practices.