AI Voice Lines Draw Backlash in Arc Raiders
Embark is adding more real human voices after players called its shipped AI-generated dialogue lifeless and odd-sounding.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
Live Poll
Should video game companies be allowed to use AI-generated voices instead of actors?
Embark Studios acknowledged criticism of its use of AI-generated voice lines in Arc Raiders, a game that attracted a large number of players. Players described the synthetic lines as lifeless and odd-sounding. The development is shipped, not research-stage.
Why it matters
Embark used AI-generated voices to supplement dialogue so it could push frequent game updates faster, setting a precedent for how voice actors' work is used in the industry. The backlash shows the tradeoff between production efficiency and perceived quality when synthetic voices stand in for human performances.
The source reports no benchmarks or performance specs for the voice system. Embark used training data recorded from the voice actors to prototype with their voices before generating supplemental dialogue.
The players
Embark Studios
A game studio whose Arc Raiders uses AI-generated voice lines to supplement dialogue alongside re-recorded human performances.
Stefan Strandberg
Embark Studios' chief creative officer, who stated the company is not in the business of replacing actors.
The details
Embark recorded training data from the voice actors and used it to prototype AI voices that mimic them, then used those voices to supplement dialogue for the game's frequent updates. The voice actors signed contracts permitting this use. Players criticized the resulting lines, and Embark responded by re-recording lines to include more real human voices.
Timeline
Arc Raiders launched amid the AI voice controversy and player backlash.
Embark plans to develop character depth in the game over the coming years.
The Tech Race
Embark's approach puts AI voice synthesis into a shipped commercial game rather than keeping it in prototyping. The source does not name a competing studio or research program in the same field.
Players of Arc Raiders encounter AI-generated voice lines alongside re-recorded human performances, and the mix is changing as Embark adds more real voices. The source does not say when or whether the remaining synthetic lines will be replaced.
The takeaway
Watch whether Embark's re-recorded lines measurably change player reception of Arc Raiders' dialogue in subsequent updates. The source does not indicate how the voice actors' contracts will be applied to future games.
Further reading
For broader context on how synthetic voices are reshaping game production, explore our Artificial Intelligence coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pcgamer.
Live Poll
Should video game companies be allowed to use AI-generated voices instead of actors?
