Arc Raiders was one of the crucial profitable video games of 2025, nevertheless it was additionally criticized for its use of AI-based text-to-speech programs. Patrick Söderlund, the pinnacle of Arc Raiders studio Embark, has now shed extra mild on the state of affairs, saying the studio’s purpose in implementing AI into its improvement processes is to make higher video games extra effectively.
He additionally pushed again towards the concept that utilizing AI programs in sport improvement would result in decrease employment at Embark.
“We do not use AI to not have to rent individuals or change individuals or job teams or voice actors,” Söderlund informed GamesBeat. “Folks must take a step again and perceive what it’s and the way it may be an enormous assist to builders and be an incredible profit to gamers. I notice it’s an intricate topic and dialogue.”
For Arc Raiders, Embark employed actors to report voice traces that have been then put right into a generative text-to-speech system that allowed sport characters to talk within the actors’ voices whereas addressing many various potential circumstances that might occur within the sport. The human actors themselves did not want to return again to the studio to report new traces, because the AI-based system created them.
Arc Raiders utilizing such a system wasn’t a shock to everybody, as Embark’s final sport, The Finals, used an identical text-to-speech program. Arc Raiders was a a lot greater success than The Finals, although, prompting one other voice actor to name upon Embark to deliver the actors again to the studio.
“If you are going to not report the traces within the first place and simply use AI to take any person’s voice and manipulate it nonetheless the hell you need, that is an issue,” actor Neil Newbon mentioned.
Shams Jorjani, the CEO of Helldivers studio Arrowhead, implored individuals to contemplate the nuance and perspective of the matter.
Jorjani mentioned he is noticed that individuals are likely to “soar to excessive takes,” however within the case of how Arc Raiders implements AI, he mentioned, “It is a very fascinating use case that truly makes gaming higher.”
Embark has on a number of events already defended its alternative to make use of AI programs, stating that “making video games with out actors is not an finish purpose” and a mix of recorded voice audio and audio generated through TTS instruments merely expedited the method.
Arc Raiders launched between Battlefield 6 and Name of Responsibility: Black Ops 7, and the $40 sport had an enormous debut. It is also loved sustained reputation, remaining in Steam’s most-played charts months after launch. The truth is, its 24-hour peak concurrent figure of 466,372 is nearly 3% off the sport’s all-time peak of 481,966 gamers on Steam.