Developers at Embark Studios, the company behind Arc Raiders, have spoken on the use of generative AI voice acting in the extraction shooter. It’s argued that the initial use of generative AI line reads was a benefit to the voice actors, as they: “would just go crazy if they had to read all of that”.
This comes from a recently released video by Embark, focused on Arc Raider’s sound and music. In it, several key members of staff speak on the game’s use of generative AI, be it the initial use of it for voice lines, and the gradual replacement of it with human line reads.
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Audio director Bence Pajor first spoke about the struggles he ran into at previous studios; how gameplay decisions couldn’t be changed because voice lines were already locked in. He describes this as a “true pain”, and that it places stress on the writing team, dialogue team, and voice actors who may have scheduling clashes. He said that using reachable voice actors in Stockholm, and using the tools available, made life easier for everyone.
Later in the video, Pajor explained that training
Later in the video, Pajor explained that training data was made with the voice actor’s performances. Due to the voice lines being required for each new feature, item, or weapon added into the game, he argues it would be too impractical to record every possible version of a line read. “The actors would just go crazy if they had to read all of that,” Pajor said.
Pajor continues by pointing to Arc Raider’s many updates and changes since its release in October 2025, it would be impractical to call in voice actors to record lines every time an altered line read needed to happen. Two voice actors present in the video – Jo Rideout (Shani) and Diana Gardner (Celeste) – also shared their feelings on it. Gardner said it was “freeing” that she could take a job somewhere else, without worrying about cancelling other shoots or projects.
However, Gardner would later speak on the topic of her ownership of Celeste’s many lines in the game: “The contract seemed so fair […] so it was a no-brainer in that sense. But I didn’t know what to expect once I heard the voice come out. I was like, ‘Can I take ownership for the performance?’ […] This is hours of work that I’ve put in, but can I take ownership for the final product? No.”
Even with these proposed benefits to using AI-powered
Even with these proposed benefits to using AI-powered performances, these voice lines are being replaced. Embark CCO Stefan Strandberg said: “we are not in the industry of replacing voice actors”, and acknowledges that immersion-breaking experiences many players had when playing Arc Raiders and hearing these performances. Strandberg and Pajor both admit to understanding the AI critique, and point to the work being done to replace what they can.
“We are not in the industry of replacing actors,” said Strandberg. “Actually I think quite the opposite. We should celebrate the performance and give them more space. That’s something I’m hoping to give to players over the coming years.”
Part of this critique over generative AI’s use in Arc Raiders came from reviews, including our own. Embark Studios faced similar pushback for gen-AI voice acting in The Finals, however Arc Raider’s popularity while using the technology led Nexon to describe it as a “trojan horse” for gen AI’s use in small team game development.
