Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund says Arc Raiders now incorporates fewer AI voice strains than it did at launch after the staff re-recorded some strains with actual actors.
Söderlund supplied an replace on the studio’s views concerning synthetic intelligence throughout an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. Amongst numerous updates which have introduced new enemies, cosmetics, areas, and extra, he says the staff has already changed a few of its closely criticized AI content material with performances from actual human beings.
“We re-recorded among the strains post-launch and made them with actual voices,” Söderlund stated. “There’s a high quality distinction. An actual skilled actor is healthier than AI; that is simply how it’s. We have a look at [AI] at the start as a manufacturing instrument. We are able to check issues internally. We are able to check 15 completely different strains with out recording them, after which we all know what to file. It is also a approach for us to work, not exchange actors. We do not essentially imagine in changing people with AI on a regular basis.”
Arc Raiders got here out of 2025 not solely as a large success for Embark, but in addition as one of many breakout hits of the yr. One stain on its ascent, nevertheless, revolves round how followers responded to the staff’s use of AI voices for a lot of of its in-game characters. Whilst complaints piled, writer Nexon defended its use of the controversial know-how, telling Game*Spark in November that gamers ought to “assume that each recreation firm is now utilizing AI.”
Though Söderlund assures that some AI content material has already been re-recorded, it’s at present unclear if there may be any plan to finally exchange all AI materials in query. He additionally needs followers to know that “loads” of the voice strains in Arc Raiders had been recorded by people, including that those that have contributed their voices to the sport have been compensated for his or her work and time.
“We pay our actors forever spent with us within the sales space and proceed to carry lots of them again as we stock on updating the sport,” he stated. “For choose utilization, we additionally pay them for the approval to license their voices via text-to-speech for strains that are not as important to the immersion of the expertise, largely ping system audio.”
Arc Raiders launched for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Collection X|S October 30, 2025. We gave it it a 9/10 in our evaluation upon its launch, saying on the time that it “units a brand new normal for extraction shooters.” It is unclear what number of copies have been bought within the 5 months since its launch, however we do not less than comprehend it managed to cross 12.4 million copies bought in January and 14 million by February.
We spoke with Söderlund about Arc Raiders’ previous, current, and future final month to be taught extra about how Embark introduced its PvPvE imaginative and prescient to life. He additionally confirmed that reviews of its $75 million funds had been “ballpark” right.
Michael Cripe is a contract author with IGN. He is finest recognized for his work at websites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure you give him a observe on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).