You’ve probably heard about ARC Raiders, the online multiplayer extra shooting game that’s currently taking the gaming world by storm.
This game appears to be a hit due to its large player count and positive reviews from around the world, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t received some scrutiny.
Developer Embark Studios used some AI tools to build the game, similar to The Finals, but CCO Stefan Strandberg stepped in to defend that approach.
In an interview with Eurogamer, Strandberg emphasized that generative AI: do not have was used in the development of ARC Raiders and explains what AI tools were utilized and how they helped create the game.
“We use AI as a tool to help create some content, but it’s always in the context of creativity as an expression of the team,” Strandberg says. “Obviously, it depends on how people define AI, and that makes it more complicated. The movement of some of the enemies in Ark are trained with machine learning, which creates these nice moments of emergency. If you get shot off in the foot, you try to regain your balance. That’s what the AI is, so to speak.”
Additionally, the game uses AI-driven text-to-speech technology combined with real voice acting in much the same way Embark did with The Finals.
“We just finished recording two days ago with two amazing actors that I’ve heard about in pre-order trailers,” he says. “They’re real actors. There’s something special and dynamic about putting the two of them together, and for me, as a sound designer by nature, I don’t think anything can replace that.”
”[Text-to-speech] This allows you to expand the scope of your game in some areas where you feel it’s needed or where there’s boring repetition that voice actors wouldn’t consider worthy work. So, while this applies broadly, the game experience does not use generative AI. ”
Introducing these AI tools into developer workflows has helped keep Embark a smaller, more efficient group, Strandberg said, pointing to “unsustainable” large teams that could easily collapse.
“When we started the studio, we said we should be able to take better advantage of the technology that’s coming out, but the studio, which was founded about 15 years ago, just has a different setup. We started with this in mind. How can we take advantage of new technology, how can we drive new technology forward? meanwhile Keep your team small and take creative risks. It also helps expand the scope of the game and push features beyond what such a small team could achieve. So I’m proud of what we accomplished there. ”
He goes on to say that while AI can be a great tool in development, this technology is not meant to replace human developers. “There are no shortcuts to making a great game. You have to have so many things in place: a clear vision, a great culture, clear goals. Vision tells you how to get there.”
Whether you agree with Strandberg’s views on the use of AI or not, there’s no arguing that The Finals, and now ARC Raiders, were huge successes for the studio.
