🔗 Share this article

Based on developer statements from the studio behind the title, Arc Raiders seems to utilize artificial intelligence technology for producing select dialogue. This revelation closely resembles the situation that surrounded the developer's previous success, The Finals.

Title Introduction

Launched on the last day of October for PS5, computer platforms, and Microsoft's console, Arc Raiders is positioned as a more accessible entry point to the competitive survival category. In contrast with established behemoths like Escape from Tarkov, it strives to offer a more approachable adventure. This release has mostly received favorable reviews, presently achieving a "very positive" rating on Steam based on thousands of player reviews.

Development Approach

Via the game's official platform description, a clear disclosure regarding artificially created material draws comparisons: Throughout creation, we may employ procedural and AI-based systems to facilitate content creation. In every instance, the end product reflects the original ideas of our studio staff."

Previous Controversy

The Finals, a successful online combat game famous for its fluid combat and dynamic battlefields, faced criticism for its use of AI even before its public debut. In its pre-release trial, the project's audio lead disclosed in a podcast interview that the company had employed artificial intelligence systems for producing voice content. This revelation triggered swift backlash from professional performers and game developers, who argued that computer-created dialogue were of reduced caliber compared to actor deliveries and that such approaches could replace acting roles.

Developer Response

Addressing concerns, Embark Studios stated that they had employed skilled talent to record original dialogue for The Finals, but expanded these with TTS technology to create extra content inspired by those original recordings. The developer's reasoning focused on the development speed obtained via this method.

Latest Developments

Concerning Arc Raiders, the project's design head commented that the release does not employ generative AI in any form," though he did not provide details on the specific interpretation of the platform statement. He did acknowledge, however, that the same vocal technology implemented in The Finals was also applied in Arc Raiders.

We employ a blend of live performance content and material produced using TTS tools in our releases, depending on the situation," commented a development team member. In certain cases, capturing live performances where talent interacts — permitting performance dynamics and drama to shape the outcome — is something that provides substance to our game worlds that AI cannot replicate. In other instances, especially when it concerns real-time combat communications, text-to-speech enables us to have tailored VO where we could not e.g. due to production timelines."

Gamer Feedback

First reactions to the incorporation of automated systems in Arc Raiders has been relatively mixed, especially during the launch window. Some players have shown clear disapproval.

• Artificial intelligence dialogue is a flaw in an otherwise incredible experience," stated one gamer in a community thread.
• I dislike that they did it for The Finals and feel regret to hear they employed it once more for this release," commented another.
• The result was quickly detectable in the speech content for a specific character," noted a another gamer.

Nevertheless, other players have expressed a more open-minded attitude.

• "Don't give a fuck, they compensated performers and used it well," wrote one community member.
• This represents the most responsible as it currently exists, unfortunately," concluded another.

The persistent discussion surrounding technology adoption in video game production appears set to endure as studios balance production speed with artistic integrity and ethical considerations.