ARC Raiders reveals the development team made a change to AI voice lines in the game that were originally controversial among fans. Developed by Embark Studios, ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction shooter where players step into the role of Raiders and take the fight against robotic enemies while also fighting other players.
Right from its release, ARC Raiders has proven to be a massive hit. Publisher Nexon announced back in January 2026 that ARC Raiders shipped 10 million copies in less than two months of its release. Players have found the game’s unique aesthetic, gameplay loop, and other aspects worth diving into, as it isn’t just another extraction shooter on the market. Embark has been constantly updating the title with new updates to keep players engaged, and now the developer has confirmed that it is making changes to the issue of AI-generated dialogue in the game, which has been bothering fans since the launch.
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ARC Raiders is Moving Away From AI-Generated Voice Lines
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Embark CEO Patrick Söderlund discussed the use of AI in ARC Raiders. While explaining the various updates for the game, he revealed that the studio has replaced many of the in-game voice lines after launch with real human voices. He explains that there is a quality difference between an AI and a real professional actor. Embark views AI as a production tool, and doesn’t believe in “replacing humans with AI all the time.” He also stated that the voice actors are paid for the time they spend in the booth, and continue to be brought back as the developer brings more updates to the game. For a few select actors, they are also paid to license their voices through text-to-speech lines that aren’t really essential to the immersion of the experience.
ARC Raiders has faced criticism for its use of AI since its launch. Reports suggest that ARC Raiders relies on two AI systems, one of which involves text-to-speech (TTS) technology. The system is built using recordings from real voice actors, allowing developers to create dialogue for various aspects of the game, including NPC interactions, in-game pings, callouts, and mission briefings. The advantage of this technology for developers is that it allows them to bypass recording sessions, which can often be lengthy and time-consuming. Embark has stated that it obtained permission from voice actors to use their voices through these methods. Even Embark’s previous title, The Finals, adopted a similar approach, using AI-generated voice work based on actors’ recordings for features such as in-game commentators and announcer lines.
However, many players in the gaming community don’t appreciate the usage of AI in ARC Raiders. They feel that AI-generated voice lines sound unnatural, flat, and lack the emotional connection that comes from real voice acting. According to fans, this breaks the immersion of the game and makes character interactions feel “soulless.” Not only that, but there’s a huge concern about talented voice actors losing their jobs as developers increasingly rely on AI for faster results and frequent game updates.
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The use of generative AI has become, and will likely remain, a divisive subject within the gaming community. While players across social media platforms such as Reddit and Twitter have welcomed Embark’s decision to replace certain AI-generated dialogue with human performances, many still believe that additional voice lines should receive the same treatment.
Considering that ARC Raiders stands as the leading title in the extraction shooter genre, remaining ahead of competitors like Marathon, fans believe that these small improvements will only strengthen the game’s reputation and increase its popularity. Although Embark has not revealed any further plans regarding AI changes, only time will tell what the developer ultimately decides to implement in future updates. For now, all players can do is wait and watch.
- Released
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October 30, 2025
- ESRB
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Teen / Violence, Blood
