Embark Studios has started replacing AI-generated dialogue in its extraction shooter, Arc Raiders, with recordings from human actors. The change comes in response to feedback from players who were critical of the game’s initial use of AI text-to-speech lines, particularly those triggered during location pings.
When Arc Raiders launched in October 2025 on PC and consoles, it quickly gained popularity on Steam and received generally positive reviews. However, the reliance on AI-generated voices drew criticism from some players, who felt the audio detracted from the game’s immersive experience. The AI lines were created using licensed audio samples from professional actors, but this approach was not universally accepted.
CEO Confirms Human Voice Recordings Are Now Standard
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund said that a majority of in-game voice lines are now recorded by human actors. He noted that professional performers provide a quality that AI currently cannot match, explaining that AI is primarily used as a tool for testing and pre-production rather than replacing human talent. “There is a quality difference. A real professional actor is better than AI; that’s just how it is,” Söderlund said.
The studio continues to compensate actors for all recording sessions and often brings them back for post-launch updates. In select cases, actors are also paid for licensing their voices to generate AI lines for less critical audio, such as secondary location pings. This approach allows Embark to balance efficiency in development with maintaining a high-quality player experience.
Impact on Players and the Gaming Industry
While Arc Raiders still contains some AI-generated lines, the update represents a significant reduction compared to the game’s launch. Söderlund’s comments suggest that Embark is responding to player concerns while continuing to use AI selectively as a production tool. The shift highlights ongoing discussions in the gaming industry about the use of AI in creative production, especially when it affects player-facing content.
By increasing the number of human-recorded lines, Arc Raiders aims to enhance immersion and overall gameplay quality, addressing a key point of criticism from its early player base.
Source: Kotaku
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Arc Raiders use AI voices at launch?
The game initially used AI-generated voice lines to quickly produce dialogue for testing and non-essential audio, such as location pings. Licensed actor recordings were used as the source material.
Are all AI voices being replaced with human recordings?
No. While many AI lines have been replaced with human recordings, some text-to-speech lines remain, primarily for secondary or less immersive audio elements.
Do actors get paid for AI-generated lines?
Yes. Actors are compensated for licensing their voices for AI-generated lines, in addition to being paid for traditional recording sessions.
Will future updates continue to use AI?
Embark Studios plans to continue using AI selectively as a production tool, but human voice recordings are prioritized for core, immersive content.
Does this change improve the player experience?
According to Embark, human-recorded lines provide higher quality and better immersion, addressing feedback from players who criticized the original AI audio.
