Arc Raiders Developer Replaces AI Voice Lines with Human Actors
Embark Studios has quietly replaced several artificial intelligence-generated voice lines in its popular extraction shooter Arc Raiders with performances from professional human actors, according to Chief Executive Officer Patrick Söderlund.
In a recent interview with industry publication GamesIndustry.biz, Söderlund confirmed that the development team has re-recorded certain dialogue sequences following criticism from the gaming community regarding the initial use of AI-generated voices.
Quality Standards Drive Change
"We re-recorded some of the lines post-launch and made them with real voices," Söderlund stated. "There is a quality difference. A real professional actor is better than AI; that's just how it is."
The executive emphasized that Embark views artificial intelligence primarily as a production tool rather than a replacement for human talent. "We can test things internally. We can test 15 different lines without recording them, and then we know what to record," he explained.
Industry Context
Arc Raiders launched in October 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S platforms, achieving significant commercial success with over 14 million copies sold by February 2026. The game received critical acclaim, earning a 9/10 review score for setting new standards in the extraction shooter genre.
However, the title faced scrutiny over its use of AI-generated content. Publisher Nexon had previously defended the technology's implementation, suggesting that AI usage has become commonplace across the gaming industry.
Compensation and Future Plans
Söderlund assured that all voice actors working with Embark receive proper compensation for their contributions. "We pay our actors for all time spent with us in the booth and continue to bring many of them back as we carry on updating the game," he said.
The studio also maintains licensing agreements for text-to-speech applications in less critical game elements, such as ping system audio, ensuring actors receive appropriate remuneration for voice usage rights.
While some AI content has been replaced, Embark has not announced plans to eliminate all artificial intelligence-generated material from the game. The company continues to balance technological efficiency with traditional production values as it develops ongoing content updates.