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According to newly revealed information from the game's developer, Arc Raiders appears to make use of generative systems for producing certain voice lines. This news strongly echoes the issue that arose with the studio's 2023 hit, The Finals.

Release Details

Launched on the last day of October for Sony's console, computer platforms, and Microsoft's console, Arc Raiders is marketed as a more accessible on-ramp to the competitive survival category. Compared to established behemoths like Escape from Tarkov, it aims to offer a user-friendly adventure. This release has mostly received positive feedback, maintaining a highly favorable reception on Steam based on over 8,000 gamer feedback.

Development Approach

Via the title's dedicated store listing, a notice regarding "AI Generated Content" raises similarities: Throughout creation, we might apply algorithmic and intelligent tools to assist with material generation. Regardless of method, the end product embodies the original ideas of our development team."

Past Issue

The Finals, a successful competitive FPS famous for its smooth gunplay and destructive environments, encountered backlash for its adoption of generative tools prior to its official launch. During its pre-release trial, the project's audio lead mentioned in a online discussion that the development team had employed generative technology for creating vocal tracks. This announcement generated instant backlash from professional performers and industry professionals, who claimed that computer-created dialogue were of inferior standard compared to human performances and that such methods could eliminate performance opportunities.

Developer Response

In response, Embark Studios clarified that they had employed skilled talent to create initial voice lines for The Finals, but enhanced these with TTS technology to produce supplementary material inspired by those professional deliveries. The developer's reasoning centered on the production efficiency gained from this approach.

Latest Developments

Regarding Arc Raiders, the game's design director clarified that the title "in no way uses artificial intelligence creation at all," though he did not provide details on the specific interpretation of the store notice. He did acknowledge, however, that the same vocal technology used for The Finals was also incorporated in Arc Raiders.

"We use a blend of live performance content and content created through TTS tools in our titles, depending on the situation," explained a development team member. "Sometimes, filming actual interactions where actors get together — allowing character chemistry and drama to influence the result — is something that contributes richness to our virtual environments that systems cannot duplicate. Other times, particularly if it relates to contextual in-game action call-outs, text-to-speech enables us to have tailored VO where we otherwise wouldn't e.g. due to production timelines."

Community Response

First reactions to the use of AI technology in Arc Raiders has been somewhat nuanced, notably in the launch window. Certain gamers have voiced significant concerns.

• "AI voices are a stain on an otherwise incredible game," wrote one gamer in a community thread.
• "I hate that they used it in The Finals and am sad to hear they employed it once more for this release," responded another.
• "It was immediately noticeable in the dialogue delivery for one protagonist," noted a different user.

That said, some users have taken a more open-minded stance.

• It doesn't bother me, they hired talent and used it well," wrote one online participant.
• This represents the most responsible as it is possible nowadays, sadly," continued another.

The persistent controversy regarding technology adoption in interactive entertainment looks prepared to endure as developers weigh development pace with artistic integrity and responsible practices.