Arc Raiders replaces some AI voice lines with professional actors

Embark Studios has replaced a portion of the AI-generated voice lines in its extraction shooter Arc Raiders with recordings from professional voice actors following player criticism.

The decision was confirmed by Embark Studios chief executive Patrick Söderlund in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. The studio had initially experimented with text-to-speech technology for some dialogue in the game, but has now begun re-recording certain lines with human performers after the title’s successful launch in October.

Arc Raiders quickly attracted attention after release, reaching a peak of nearly half a million concurrent players on Steam. Despite the strong start, the use of artificial intelligence in some character dialogue sparked debate within the community.

Player criticism pushes studio to reconsider

Arc Raiders launched to strong player engagement, but discussion about its use of AI-generated voice lines soon surfaced online. Many players argued that the synthetic voices weakened immersion in a game that otherwise relied heavily on atmosphere and character interaction.

Embark Studios had originally limited the AI-generated dialogue to lines considered less critical to the core gameplay experience. Söderlund said the technology was intended to supplement the voice work rather than replace actors entirely. However, the distinction did not satisfy some players who felt that any AI-generated dialogue undermined the authenticity of the experience.

Responding to the criticism, Söderlund acknowledged that the difference between AI-generated speech and professional performance was noticeable. “There is a quality difference,” he told GamesIndustry.biz. “A real professional actor is better than AI; that’s just how it is.”

The studio’s decision to revisit some of the dialogue reflects the growing sensitivity within the games industry around the use of artificial intelligence in creative roles. While developers increasingly experiment with AI tools, many players and performers remain cautious about how the technology might affect creative quality and employment opportunities.

How AI voice technology was originally used

Before the game launched, Embark Studios had arranged licensing agreements with voice actors that allowed their voices to be used for text-to-speech generation. According to Söderlund, the performers were compensated and approved the technology’s replication of aspects of their voices for certain lines.

The system was designed to generate dialogue for parts of the game deemed less essential to immersion. This approach allowed the development team to create large amounts of background dialogue more quickly while still using human actors for the main performances.

However, the strategy sparked wider discussion about the role of artificial intelligence in video game production. While AI voice synthesis can reduce recording time and enable developers to generate dialogue variations rapidly, critics argue that it can also dilute the emotional depth that professional actors bring to performances.

In the case of Arc Raiders, some players felt that even minor lines contributed to the overall atmosphere and should therefore be delivered by human actors. The feedback highlighted how closely fans associate voice acting with the identity and storytelling of modern video games.

Human actors returning as development continues

Following player feedback, Embark Studios has begun replacing some AI-generated lines with newly recorded dialogue from professional actors. Söderlund said the studio had already re-recorded certain parts and planned to bring performers back into the recording studio as the game continues to evolve.

He also emphasised that voice actors are paid for their time when recording new material and will remain involved in future updates. “We will continue to bring many of them back as we carry on updating the game,” Söderlund said.

Despite the shift, the company has not indicated that it will completely abandon text-to-speech technology. Söderlund’s comments suggested that only some AI-generated lines have been replaced so far, leaving open the possibility that the system may still be used in limited situations.

The situation reflects a broader balancing act across the games industry as studios explore artificial intelligence tools while attempting to maintain creative standards and public trust. For Embark Studios, the changes to Arc Raiders are an attempt to respond directly to player feedback while continuing to experiment with new production methods.

As development on the game continues, the studio’s approach may serve as an example of how developers adjust their use of emerging technologies when community expectations clash with technical experimentation.