🔗 Share this article

Based on developer statements from the game's developer, Arc Raiders reportedly utilize generative systems for generating certain dialogue. This development is strikingly similar to the debate that arose with the developer's previous success, The Finals.

Game Overview

Debuted on October 30th for Sony's console, Windows PC, and Microsoft's console, Arc Raiders is described as a gentler on-ramp to the competitive survival genre. In contrast with established behemoths like Escape from Tarkov, it aims to offer a more approachable adventure. This release has largely been positive feedback, presently achieving a highly favorable rating on digital distribution based on over 8,000 user evaluations.

Development Approach

Via the product's store listing, a notice regarding computer-assisted production invites parallels: In the production phase, we might apply procedural and AI-based systems to assist with asset production. In every instance, the final output showcases the creativity and vision of our development team."

Previous Controversy

The Finals, a popular online combat game famous for its responsive controls and demolition-heavy maps, received negative feedback for its implementation of artificial intelligence even before its public debut. Throughout its pre-release trial, the title's sound specialist disclosed in a audio program that the studio had leveraged generative technology for creating dialogue lines. This statement prompted immediate criticism from professional performers and industry professionals, who argued that AI-generated voices were of inferior standard compared to human performances and that such practices could replace performance opportunities.

Developer Response

Reacting to feedback, Embark Studios explained that they had contracted experienced voice actors to record original spoken content for The Finals, but supplemented these with text-to-speech tools to create extra lines inspired by those professional deliveries. The studio's rationale focused on the production efficiency gained from this method.

Present Circumstances

Regarding Arc Raiders, the project's design head commented that the release "in no way uses AI generation in any form," though he avoided specifics on the precise meaning of the platform statement. He did acknowledge, however, that the same vocal technology used for The Finals was also utilized in Arc Raiders.

We employ a combination of recorded voice audio and audio generated via text-to-speech technology in our releases, depending on the context," explained a company spokesperson. "Sometimes, capturing live performances where talent interacts — enabling character chemistry and conflict to influence the result — is something that adds depth to our digital universes that systems cannot duplicate. For different situations, notably when it involves dynamic gameplay announcements, text-to-speech enables us to have personalized speech where we otherwise wouldn't such as due to production timelines."

Player Reactions

Early feedback to the implementation of AI technology in Arc Raiders has been somewhat nuanced, especially during the initial period. A portion of the community have shown clear disapproval.

• "AI voices are a blemish on an mostly outstanding experience," stated one player in a forum post.
• "I hate that they implemented it in The Finals and am disappointed to hear they did it again for this release," commented another.
• "It was immediately noticeable in the vocal lines for a specific character," observed a different user.

That said, other players have taken a more accepting stance.

• "Don't give a fuck, they hired talent and used it well," commented one community member.
• "This is as ethical as it is possible nowadays, unfortunately," concluded another.

The ongoing discussion surrounding artificial intelligence use in interactive entertainment seems likely to endure as studios weigh development pace with creative quality and responsible practices.