TLDR: Embark Studios’ latest title, Arc Raiders, has launched amidst controversy surrounding its use of AI-generated voices, drawing parallels to the backlash faced by their previous game, The Finals. While the developers clarify that generative AI is not used for core content, the integration of text-to-speech technology for certain voice lines has reignited discussions within the gaming community and among voice actors regarding the role of AI in game development and potential job displacement.
The highly anticipated extraction shooter, Arc Raiders, from Embark Studios, has entered the gaming landscape not only with significant player engagement but also with a familiar point of contention: the integration of artificial intelligence in its voice work. Launched recently, the game has quickly found itself at the center of a debate that echoes the controversy surrounding Embark’s earlier title, The Finals.
Players and industry observers have raised concerns over the perceived use of AI for character voices, leading to accusations that the studio is attempting to replace human voice actors. Embark Studios’ Chief Creative Officer (CCO) and co-founder, Stefan Strandberg, has addressed these concerns, clarifying that while Arc Raiders does utilize AI text-to-speech (TTS) technology for some voice lines, it does not employ generative AI for the game’s core content. Strandberg explained to Eurogamer that ‘the experience of the game doesn’t use any generative AI’ and that ‘Arc Raiders in no way uses generative AI whatsoever.’
Similar to The Finals, Arc Raiders combines recordings from real actors with TTS. Strandberg stated, ‘We use a combination of recordings of real actors and TTS. So that’s true for this game as well.’ He emphasized that this approach is a ‘studio strategy’ aimed at increasing the game’s scope and managing repetitive tasks where voice actors might not find the work valuable, rather than a goal to replace actors. ‘There’s no end goal in replacing any actors,’ Strandberg affirmed, highlighting the irreplaceable ‘fantastical’ contribution of real actors to the game’s lore.
Beyond voice work, Embark Studios also employs machine learning for other aspects of the game, such as creating dynamic animations for Arc enemies. For instance, if an enemy loses a leg, the AI-trained locomotion allows it to rebalance dynamically. Design director Virgil Watkins also reiterated that games ‘can’t be built by an AI’ and expressed hope they never could, while acknowledging AI’s potential to accelerate content creation.
The controversy surrounding AI in game development has been a significant topic, particularly following the SAG-AFTRA union’s year-long strike from July 2024 to July 2025. The union successfully secured a contract that limits how actors’ voices can be used with AI, ensuring that performers who consent to digital replicas receive comparable compensation to direct services. This agreement reflects a broader industry tension between the efficiency promised by AI tools and concerns over job security and artistic integrity.
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While Embark Studios maintains its commitment to being at the ‘forefront of emerging technologies,’ the ongoing debate underscores the complex challenges and ethical considerations as AI continues to evolve within the creative industries. The studio’s Steam page vaguely confirms the use of ‘procedural- and AI-based tools to assist with content creation,’ noting that ‘the final product reflects the creativity and expression of our own development team.’
