Will AI Replace Video Game Voice Actors In The Near Future?

Voice actor Jay Britton was heartbroken when he heard about the unofficial update to The Witcher 3. The game modder who released the said update, nikich340, apparently trained an AI algorithm to speak new lines of dialogue for the main character of the game (Geralt) and in the voice of his original voice actor, Doug Cockle.

“Yes, AI might be able to replace things but should it?” asked Britton on his tweet. “Replacing actors with AI is not only a legal minefield but an utterly souless choice.”

Some game studios are already embracing voice AI technology. At Obsidian, for instance, algorithmic dialogue doesn’t make the final cut. Instead, the studio uses it to listen to dialogue out loud before taking up an actor’s time, according to Input, not unlike how storyboarding helps set up visual shots.

But the decision to build out an entirely new game mod and use AI to churn out new lines in a real actor’s voice is a notable step further, and it will be interesting to see whether the practice makes its way into mainstream use.

Personally, I believe that there should always be some kind of human touch in this type of work. But what are your thoughts about this one?

(Image Credit: lincerta/ Pixabay)