Strikes across the entertainment industry have created discourse around a number of important topics concerning worker’s rights and the future of the creative arts. The use of artificial intelligence to write, replicate performers, and essentially cut jobs, has been one of the major issues at the heart of both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. It’s unclear how this battle with AI will be resolved, as the unions and studios continue to take firm stances on either side of the argument. And while movies and TV have been the main battleground, the ongoing developments in AI have large implications for the video game industry as well.
AI technology will continue to be refined and plenty of video game studios are looking at ways to implement it across their titles. But voice actors are now more worried than ever about being replaced in their roles. The use of AI Voice Generation is on the rise, but it’s a massive labor issue and a violation of consent. Increased use of the technology threatens to ensure that the future of the industry remains entirely uncertain.
AI Voice Generation Takes Advantage Of Performers
AI voice generation is a relatively new technology with few different applications. In the video game space, some titles are turning to AI studios like Replica Studios to grant them access to their AI voices. These are computer-generated synthetic voices that are designed alongside licensed voice actors. The ethics of this process can vary depending on the studio in question. However, some AI systems are also used to create voices that are designed to copy the tones and traits of well-known artists outside of an official partnership. These voices can be created by feeding in examples of previous performances for the AI program to learn from and parrot in some way. The final result doesn’t always sound as lifelike as might have been intended, but the original inspiration is usually clear. The very existence of AI voice generation in this manner takes advantage of performers and completely breaks consent. Those voices that have been mimicked rather than recorded are often used without the knowledge or permission of the artist. In an interview with TheGamer, Marvel’s Spider-Man and Persona voice actor Yuri Lowenthal noted that “the big deal is consent. You’re essentially appropriating someone’s identity and making them do something without their consent, and that’s not okay.” If this continues then jobs could be threatened, as there’s no need to hire big-name actors when their voices can be replicated without any hassle or even permission.
Increased Use Normalizes The Trend
The problem is that the use of AI voice generators is becoming more common, even among the general public. YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms are becoming inundated with fans using AI to create their own comedy skits and fictional scenarios, all utilizing these stolen voices. Fans can synthesize the voices of their favorite characters and use them however they wish, again without consent from the original performers about what sort of content their voices will be used for. It’s no wonder that many creators and actors fear for a dystopic AI future, because the use of AI is becoming normalized among younger fans especially. It’s being used without any thoughts or concerns for the consequences in the industry and that can have a long-term impact in video game development. Indeed, artist Roger Clark, who voices Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2 specifically commented on this trend on TikTok after fans had stolen his voice for their own content. He suggested that “if you keep sharing that rubbish, I promise sooner than you think it’ll be all you have left.”
If users get used to voices being stolen, or sounding a little off because they are AI generated, then there’s no reason for the video game studios to shy away from their use. The boundaries could quickly become murky, with the consumer no longer holding the creators to account because they too are indulging in the same actions. Actors could be left in a challenging position, with both audiences and studios taking advantage of their talents without anything to officially protect them. AI laws need to be reviewed, but it’s unlikely that safeguards will be put around performers for a long time, considering how Hollywood has reacted to the concerns of actors and writers alike.
An AI Future Is Not A Good One For The Video Game Industry
The fact is, the future of the video game industry is entirely uncertain. Voice actors could absolutely go on strike, refusing to lend their services to video game studios until further protections are put in place. But that still doesn’t stop the TikTokers, YouTubers, and social media users from creating copycat AI voices of their own. Unfortunately, that’s a huge advantage for the studios as there are a lot of benefits for them if the public attitude towards AI continues to go in this direction. They could change lines of dialogue on the fly without having to find time for recording sessions. They could switch characters in and out as they please, without needing a performer on hand. They don’t even have to worry about labor laws in terms of how long they can put an artist to work. The AI would thus increase efficiency. Major video game studios like Ubisoft, Blizzard, and Square Enix are already experimenting with generative AI tools in their development processes. There’s nothing to stop them from moving into the voice-acting space as they continue to try to push boundaries.
But just as great moviemakers are pointing out the dangers of AI, incredible video game developers will be doing the same. AI cannot have the imagination and range of a live performer. So many amazing titles from across time have been defined by the voices behind them. Characters come alive and stories are given new meanings thanks to the way those scripts are read. The future of the video game industry will be far less creative if artists are not given the opportunity to take risks and try to find a character’s style for themselves. The process will be changed forever and once that genie is out of the bottle, it’s very hard to put away again. The fact is, those magical performances of the past will never be replicated by AI. And if AI voice generation is to become more regular for both audiences and studios, then new talents will be drawn away from the industry. Their contributions will never see the light of day, despite everything they might have been able to offer. AI voice generation creates so many issues when it comes to treating performers with respect without stealing what makes them unique. What’s important is that jobs are protected so that innovation can continue and new stars can rise to shape the next generation.
