Arc Raiders is only a few days away from its official launch, and as the hype continues to grow, Embark Studios' inventive extraction shooter has been one of the most anticipated releases of the year. This is no easy feat, as this year has been defined by huge launches. Arc Raiders takes place in a futuristic world ravaged by giant killer robots, and its unique setting and fun gameplay loop have put a bright spotlight on the title.
Now that the wait for Arc Raiders is finally drawing to a close, eager gamers will finally get to jump into the compelling world that Embark Studios has promised. After Arc Raiders' successful server slam earlier this month, the excitement has hit a fever pitch. Unfortunately, that hasn't kept the extraction shooter free from controversy, though, as there is now speculation that Arc Raiders is using AI for the voices of some of its characters.
Arc Raiders will be available on October 30 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S and will cost $40 USD.
Arc Raiders' AI Voice Controversy Arrives Days Before its Launch
- The official Steam page for Arc Raiders confirms the use of AI.
- Embark Studios has used AI voices in the past.
- Fans have shared examples of supposed AI dialogue.
It's important to note that Embark Studios hasn't officially confirmed nor denied whether Arc Raiders uses AI voices for in-game characters or not. However, it has at least been confirmed through Steam that the game does indeed use AI in some capacity. The official Steam page reads "During the development process, we may use procedural- and AI-based tools to assist with content creation. In all such cases, the final product reflects the creativity and expression of our own development team ." Of course, this description is quite vague, so it's unclear exactly what parts of Arc Raiders contain AI-assisted content, but this isn't too surprising. The Finals, another successful project by Embark Studios, had its own controversy by featuring text-to-speech AI voices.
Back in 2023, The Finals audio designers Carl Strandberg and Andreas Almstrom confirmed that the game used a blend of AI text-to-speech technology and real-life voices, with the former carrying most of the weight. The devs were quoted as saying, "We use AI with a few exceptions, so all the contestant voices, like the barks and voiceover commentators, are AI text-to-speech," while various sound effects like grunting and noises of pain are done within the studio. Strandberg and Almstrom further explained that they opted for this route because of efficiency, claiming that this allowed devs to make changes "in just a matter of hours, instead of months," insinuating that hiring voice actors on the fly was not feasible.
This, naturally, caused a lot of backlash from both gamers and voice actors. Even though Embark Studios has remained tight-lipped about whether Arc Raiders uses text-to-speech AI or not, the developer's past decisions with The Finals have definitely raised suspicions ahead of the game's release.
Potential Evidence of AI Voices in Arc Raiders Makes the Rounds on Social Media
In the above Reddit post by user Shwad00, the line delivery of several in-game characters has been brought into question. Once Arc Raiders is here, it will be intriguing to see if any other examples of potential AI voices are shared on social media. Critics of the game's character voices note the choppy and rushed delivery of dialogue, which is a common trait in text-to-speech AI tools.
Arc Raiders' Voice Allegations Add to the Growing Concern of AI Use in Game Development
- Generative AI and AI-based tools in development have been a divisive topic within the gaming community.
- Many pro-AI adopters cite its efficiency and streamlining qualities, while a lot of critics dislike how it gets rid of job opportunities, while also claiming quality is sacrificed for quick turnaround.
In the past few years, especially this one, AI has been front and center. Debates about whether AI should be used in creative industries is difficult water to tread. On the one hand, it's understandable how it could be useful for smaller, independent studios, but when it comes to major companies like Sony and Microsoft, it also seems like an avenue taken to save money instead of hiring talented and capable programmers and artists.
Embark Studios CEO Patrick Soderlund recently spoke with Edge regarding his own feelings about using AI in game development, stating, "The beauty of video games, as with any art form, is that – at least so far – they can't be built by an Al. I hope they never can. The human aspect is still essential." I completely agree with that sentiment, so when it comes to both AI adopters and critics, that view can at least remain a solid middle ground that each side can hopefully continue to return to when the subject is brought up. However, with reports like Elon Musk's teased AI-generated game making waves, it can be hard for AI skeptics to remain optimistic when developers like Embark Studios utilize such technology.
The beauty of video games, as with any art form, is that – at least so far – they can't be built by an Al. I hope they never can. The human aspect is still essential.
At the end of the day, AI is a mirror of what humans have already been able to accomplish in the past. Actual voice actors potentially losing out on jobs for the sake of quick results will continue to be concerning, no matter what the context. It's understandable why the subject of AI in game development makes some fans uneasy. Over the years, gamers have formed emotional connections to various titles and their stories because of the human-made elements. Whether it be world-building and gameplay crafted by developers or the performances by real-life actors, gaming has gotten as far as it has because of human-led creativity. The hype surrounding Arc Raiders is impressive, and it will ultimately be up to the individual player whether the use of AI is a deal-breaker or not.
ARC Raiders
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- October 30, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Embark Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Embark Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Extraction, Shooter, Third-Person Shooter, Survival
