TLDR: Neil Newbon, the voice actor for Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, has publicly expressed strong opposition to the use of AI in video games. He argues that AI-generated content lacks the ‘joy’ and ‘happy accident possibility’ found in human-created art, and that many developers share his skepticism regarding its effectiveness and quality.
Neil Newbon, the acclaimed voice actor behind the popular character Astarion in the critically acclaimed game Baldur’s Gate 3, has voiced significant concerns regarding the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the video game industry. Newbon’s comments, made during a recent episode of the Radio Times Gaming podcast, highlight a growing sentiment among actors and creatives about the impact of AI on their craft and the overall quality of games.
Newbon unequivocally stated that ‘AI sucks’ and ‘doesn’t work very well,’ emphasizing the unreliability and inherent ‘soullessness’ of AI-generated content. He challenged the premise of using AI, asking, ‘Where’s the joy in it? Why not make it with people? Why not have more fun?’ This perspective underscores a belief that the artistic process and the human element are crucial for creating truly engaging and meaningful experiences in gaming.
He further elaborated on the perceived shortcomings of AI, noting that ‘it takes a lot of effort to get something that’s half-decent.’ Newbon also shared insights from his conversations with numerous developers, stating, ‘I spoke to a lot of devs, I know a lot of devs, and they don’t want to use AI because it’s shit.’ He believes that even if AI technology advances to a point where the difference is indistinguishable, the fundamental question remains: ‘so what? Why not make it with people?’
Newbon highlighted the concept of ‘happy accidents’ in creative work, citing the iconic scene in ‘Midnight Cowboy’ where Dustin Hoffman remained in character despite an unexpected encounter with a taxi. He argued that such spontaneous, magical moments are impossible with AI-generated art, which he described as ‘synthetic’ and ‘not real.’ This sentiment resonates with his involvement in the ‘Pixel Pack,’ a collective of game actors dedicated to championing human talent in the industry.
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While Newbon’s comments were made around July 28, 2025, the broader discussion around AI in gaming continues to evolve. Samantha Béart, another Baldur’s Gate 3 actor (who plays Karlach), previously expressed similar concerns in March 2025, suggesting that executives push for AI primarily to ‘save money,’ a move she believes will ultimately ‘destroy their reputation, their company, everything.’ Béart characterized the dynamic between profit-driven executives and artistic creators as ‘oil and water,’ highlighting the fundamental disconnect in their motivations. The debate over AI’s role in game development, particularly concerning voice acting and creative integrity, remains a prominent and contentious issue within the industry.
