cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/40224994
I just found out that Embark used genAI to replace recalling it’s voice actors. And I am devastated. It was my GOTY and now I’m boycotting it. To the point that I decided to be vocal about it.
I don’t want any AI (not talking about machine learning for the way the Arcs move, I’m talking about the voice actors being replaced) in the work of art that I think are the video games I play.
To game developers: Stop using AI in your video games!
Je viens de découvrir que Embark a utilisé de l’IA générative pour remplacer ses acteurs. Et franchement je suis tellement déçu. C’était clairement mon GOTY, et maintenant je me retrouve à boycotter tout ça, au point de carrément en faire des posts pour toucher le plus de monde possible.
Je ne veux aucune IA (et attention, je ne parle pas du machine learning utilisé pour les déplacements des Arcs) dans les oeuvres d’art que je consomme.
Aux développeurs: Arrêtez d’utiliser de l’IA dans les jeux vidéos !
But its in agreement with the voice actors. I don’t get the big deal. I’m not pro AI but why would you abandon a game you enjoy for that reason? Praise them for making an Unreal engine game that looks and runs great.
Because desperate voice actors famously have so much leverage in contract negotiations, right? Why do you think Hollywood actors and writers unions went on strike in 2023?
I agree, this game has an awesome tech team making a clear counter-argument to UE5 haters (I hate UE5, they used very well imho). The graphism are cool and the art is really a work of art! I love the world design, lore, color grading, design-language, weapon design, etc.
The voice acting got through what I consider my keen 6th sense of AI-detection (which scares me tbh). But this is something that I cannot let go, I don’t want to. Even though everything else is (for a multiplayer game) top-notch imo.
What’s the boundary if we let them do this to one aspect of the game then? What amount of AI slop are we going to accept in the future if we allow corporations to AI-creep into everything?
I want to vote with my wallet and with my voice to support what I think isn’t the right direction.
Even though the voice actors signed the contract: I, as a customer/fan, don’t want workers signing off their ability to work more. These voice actors won’t ever work again with Embark now, Embark don’t need another recording session from them. Ok, actors waved that opportunity away willingly. But I don’t want the whole industry to become like this.
It’s not because the genAI trend isn’t going away that we aren’t allowed to adapt to it. My adaptation is to fight for an AI-free label.
PS: On another front, Embark has made millions, if not more on this game. Don’t tell me they HAD to use genAI instead of paying those voice actors for reshoot to begin with.
I love the dev behind ARC Raiders. I hate the management team that forced AI into the project (I can’t prove this claim, call that a hunch)
The reason I’ve heard they are doing it so they can pump out dialoge faster and they don’t have to let the voice actors come in for every line whenever they add a new map with new way points for example.
I understand that this would be costly. But imho this isn’t a good reason. There is imo only two ethic ways to solve this kind of problem:
- Understand that the goal is too hard to handle. Abandon the voice acting on the ping system.
- Put the means, even if this is costly*
*: As I said, Embark is a big company, they made millions of dollars. They can afford it. It is absurd to me to allow such a big structure to “cut costs” by removing the human factors.
Do you know the specifics of their contracts with the VA-s? Are you certain they’re not paying the VA-s for using their voice (even if it is AI generated)? What is the ethical dilemma if VA-s are getting paid whenever a new voiceline is created?
I don’t know the details. And I agree that if every line generated with their voice is paid (at least partially) I don’t see as big of a problem as I stated.
But call me cynical: I don’t think they were paid for generated voice lines. I would gladly be corrected on this matter though.
That was the case with The Finals (Embark’s previous game) according to testimony by the team, and they are using the same development practices here.
I’m not here to argue with you. I dont mind them using Ai. They are upfront about it. You should do whatever you think is the right thing.
Sorry if I sounded angry or something. My goal is to debate around this subject I feel passionate about. I’m not really sure I would call all of this “being upfront” but that may be another subject.
I’m not an English native, so my words could be harsher that it should. Sorry again.
And thank you for answering and participating about the whole thing. No hard feelings I hope!
If its purely for the sake of velocity, than the performers should be compensated the same as if they were in studio. This is a slippery slope.
I installed Arc Raiders from my family sharing group, fired it up then closed it and uninstalled it as soon as it says I need to create YET ANOTHER account just to play this game.
I’m done creating an account for every single game.
Yep. I wish others were brave enough to actually make a change. Accounts are purely there to steal data and further enrich thieves.
And beyond that, they’re just uselessly annoying for consumers
Oh it’s one of those? Same reason I returned red dead redemption 2.
You are aware that you see beforehand whether the game requires a separate account (at least on Steam)? Also, how else would you enable crossplay/crosssave?
And you don’t even need to use separate credentials. You can log in with Steam just fine.You are aware that you see beforehand whether the game requires a separate account (at least on Steam)?
No, because as I indicated in my post, I didn’t buy it. I installed it from someone else’s account within my family group.
Also, how else would you enable crossplay/crosssave?
I don’t know, but not my concern.
And you don’t even need to use separate credentials. You can log in with Steam just fine.
Not according to the prompt I was shown.
I don’t think it’s that big of deal, doesn’t it just link the account to your steam/psn/xbox live? I don’t even remember making a password for the account. It’s not like you also have to log in to another worthless launcher like blizzard/ubisoft/ea games on steam. That’s where I draw the line.
It wanted me to make an Embark Studios account. And yes that is a big deal.
Really appreciate you bringing awareness and expressing concern on this, as it has the potential to abuse artists. Folks seem quick to handwave it away instead of taking the measured, thoughtful approach it deserves. Artists need to be protected first and foremost.
Do they charge real money for worthless cosmetics in this game? You think they’d be able to afford to bring the original voice actors back in to re-record some lines for updates, if that’s the case.
Seems kind of ironic for a game that’s about capitalists fucking the earth and leaving to space while the rest of humanity is plagued by AI death machines for generations.
I mean, it’s a garbage game so, any reason to not play it I guess.
Ah, yes, ragebait on lemmy. How fabulous.
💅
The AI voice changer in Arc is a fun thing to have. I am glad it exists.
