summary
- Voice actor Samantha Bale criticizes AI for driving money in game development.
- Actors fear that AI will replace them in the game, affecting their livelihoods.
- Steam requires transparency in AI use, affecting more than just audio actors.
With the growing number of game publishers driving the use of AI (artificial intelligence) in game development, people who are actually working on games are not huge fans of the idea. This is the same case as for voice actors who have seen it happen in the Apex Legends franchise recently.
This time, one of the voice actors behind Gate 3 of Mega Hit Bardur made a statement to the AI and what they said makes a lot of sense.
Artificial intelligence creates a “oil and water” situation between artists and executives Baldur’s Gate3 actor claims
Voice actor Samantha Béart, who plays Karclach in Baldur’s Gate 3, has harsh words for video game executives who drive the use of AI in game development.
According to Béart, what are the main motivations for gaming companies to use AI? That’s money. Speaking to Edge Magazine (via Games Radar), Béart states, “Essentially (the CEO who pushes AI) just wants to save money. In the long run, it’s going to destroy their reputation, their company, everything.”
Beart also states that he has not seen actors complying with the publisher’s requirements. Because considering the AI voice line they provide will replace them, it means they take a break from work. That won’t happen. Why do you do that? I just signed out of all sorts of jobs and careers,” adds Beart.
Comparing executives who pay for actors and other creatives, Beart considers it to be oil and water.
Béart said, “We have an industry of very artistic people who have had a calling to do something like this. And you have people who have money, people who don’t play games and think it’s an easy way to get a return on investment… These two things are oil and water.”
I can’t say I disagree with Beart’s feelings. So, if the actor’s voices are recorded and spun through an AI machine, why should they hire actors again? You can use their voices as many times as you like for a one-off fee. Certainly, everyone can see how this doesn’t benefit anyone other than the overlord of the company that runs the studio. Now, if the voice actor gets royalty every time the voice is used, and is made up of a way that benefits both parties. That might be how it works.
Unfortunately, AI use in the game is on the rise and has not slowed down. Steam now has an obligation to disclose if gaming companies use AI in their games. The voice actors were not the only ones that AI targeted. Even marketing ads use AI, so this is not beneficial to anyone other than the wallets of people at the top.
Regarding the series, license holder Hasbro commented that he should hear more about the franchise’s future soon.
