The Finals criticised by actors and designers for use of AI commentator voiceovers

UPDATE 5pm UK: Embark Studios has provided further details on its use of AI voiceover in The Finals, noting “making games without actors isn’t an end goal for Embark” and that the use of AI text-to-speech is based on real voices.

A statement shared with Eurogamer reads: “We use a combination of recorded voice audio and audio generated via TTS tools in our games, depending on the context. Sometimes, recording real scenes where actors get together – allowing character chemistry and conflict to shape the outcome – is something that adds depth to our game worlds that technology can’t emulate. Other times, especially when it relates to contextual in-game action call-outs, TTS allows us to have tailored VO where we otherwise wouldn’t e.g. due to speed of implementation.

“In the instances we use TTS in The Finals, it’s always based on real voices. In the Open Beta, it is based on a mix of professional voice actors and temp voices from Embark employees. Making games without actors isn’t an end goal for Embark and TTS technology has introduced new ways for us to work together.”

The original story continues below.

ORIGINAL STORY 12pm UK:Forthcoming team shooter The Finals has been criticised for using AI for its commentator voiceovers.

Developed by Embark Studios, comprising former DICE employees, it’s currently in open beta – as announced at the recent Xbox Partner Preview showcase.

As part of its arena battle style, it includes voiceover from two commentators, but these have been developed with AI drawing criticism from voice actors and designers alike.

The use of AI in the game was actually revealed in an episode of Embark’s Meet The Makers podcast from July. Audio designers Carl Strandberg and Andreas Almström were asked about the voiceovers which were described as “authentic”.

“So here’s the kicker: did the voiceovers,” said Almström. “We use AI with a few exceptions. So all the contestant voices like the barks, both of our commentators are AI text-to-speech. For things we call vocalisations like player breathing, vaulting, jumping, that’s something we use us in the studio to record, like just grunting. We can’t really get AI to perform those kinds of tasks yet.”