The Finals, a new free-to-play fps was released recently and has received positive reception with a 24 hour peak of 229,00 players. However, there was one thing that the community had an issue with, the use of AI. Andreas Almström, the game’s Audio Designer revealed in a podcast that “with a few exceptions,” the game uses artificial intelligence for the in-game vocal recordings. Today, following the revelation and criticism from the community, developer Embark Studios has responded.
Embark Studios told IGN that “making games without actors isn’t an end goal.” they say that they use a mix of both recorded audio voices and audio generated via AI text to Speech (TTS) tools for its games.
“Sometimes, recording real scenes where actors get together — allowing character chemistry and conflict to shape the outcome — is something that adds depth to our game worlds that technology can’t emulate. Other times, especially when it relates to contextual in-game action call-outs, TTS allows us to have tailored voice-over where we otherwise wouldn’t, for example, due to speed of implementation.”
Previously, Embark Studios said that they use “AI with a few exceptions, the random grunts and breathing noises that the AI TTS tools can’t create yet. Back in July, Embark said that these sounds are recorded by the normal developers and not with paid actors, as they’re ” something we use us in the studio to record, just grunting”.
Now, Embark is saying something different. The Open Beta that was just released uses a mix of professional voice actors and temporary voices from Embark employees.
“In the instances we use TTS in The Finals, it’s always based on real voices,” the spokesperson said. “In the open beta, it is based on a mix of professional voice actors and temporary voices from Embark employees. Making games without actors isn’t an end goal for Embark and TTS technology has introduced new ways for us to work together.”
AI has been one of the biggest talking points and issues and has come to a head in the Entertainment industry following the WGA strike, the current SAG-AFTRA strike, and a potential strike against video game publishers.
“The voice and performance capture artists who bring video game characters to life deserve a contract that reflects the value they bring to the multibillion-dollar gaming industry,” SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said last month as they motioned the authorization vote to strike. “Voice and performance capture AI are already among the most advanced uses of AI: the threat is here and it is real. Without contractual protections, the employers are asking performers to unknowingly participate in the extinction of their artistry and livelihoods.”