Embark Studios’ new shooter Arc Raiders has replaced some AI-generated voices with professional actors after the game’s October launch. Although the game attracted nearly half a million Steam players early on, its use of AI for certain character voices drew criticism from many players. According to Embark’s CEO Patrick Söderlund, the studio ”re-recorded” parts of the voice work because ”a real professional actor is better than AI; that’s just how it is.”
Arc Raiders initially licensed actors’ voices for AI speech, a strategy meant to cut costs and speed up production. Söderlund explained that text-to-speech was used mostly for lines considered less critical to immersion, but players noted a noticeable drop in voice quality. In response, Embark committed to continuing work with its voice actors and paying them for their time in the studio, blending human and AI performances going forward.
AI voice technology and player reception in Arc Raiders
The partial return to human voice acting highlights a broader tension in the gaming industry over AI’s role in creative jobs. While AI can produce dialogue quickly and at lower cost, it often lacks the nuance that professional actors bring to a role-something players clearly value. Söderlund’s comments suggest Embark isn’t abandoning AI voices entirely but acknowledges current technological limits in delivering a fully immersive audio experience.