If you engage in a virtual battle against a video game goblin sporting a Cockney accent or request a gruff Scottish blacksmith to craft a digital sword, you may encounter the voice of actor Andy Magee.
However, what you’re hearing isn’t precisely Magee’s voice. It’s a synthetic voice clone produced by artificial intelligence.
As the realms of video games become more expansive, certain game studios are testing AI tools to provide voices for an extensive array of characters and dialogues. This approach not only streamlines the process but also reduces costs associated with temporary “vocal scratch” recordings used by game developers to assess scenes and scripts.
The reaction from professional actors varies. Some express concerns that AI voices could potentially replace all but the most renowned human actors if major studios have their way. On the other hand, individuals like Magee are willing to explore this avenue as long as they receive fair compensation and their voices are utilized appropriately.
Magee, originally from Northern Ireland and with previous experience as a craft brewery manager, delivery driver, and farmer, now specializes in lending his voice to a diverse spectrum of characters from the British Isles. What he once regarded as a mere party trick has evolved into a fulfilling career.
AI-generated voice clones have garnered mixed reviews, partly due to their misuse in creating convincing deepfakes of real individuals, such as U.S. President Joe Biden and the late Anthony Bourdain, uttering fabricated statements. Early attempts by independent developers to incorporate AI voices into video games have also faced criticism from gamers and actors, some of whom did not consent to the use of their voices in such a manner.
While most major studios have not extensively employed AI voices yet, negotiations are ongoing with Hollywood’s actors union, which also represents game performers, on the appropriate utilization of this technology. Concerns regarding the potential misuse of AI in the film industry contributed to strikes by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. However, the union appears to be nearing a consensus with game studios.
Sarah Elmaleh, known for her role as the Cube Queen in Fortnite and various other prominent characters in blockbuster and indie games, has shifted from a more conservative stance on AI-generated voices to a more neutral position. She emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations and collaboration with actors in the integration of AI voices into productions.
SAG-AFTRA recently reached an agreement with Replica Studios, a company specializing in AI voices, allowing major studios to collaborate with unionized actors to create and license digital replicas of their voices. This agreement includes provisions for performers to opt out of having their voices perpetually replicated.
Replica Studios CEO Shreyas Nivas highlighted the ethical approach taken by his company, which involves securing licenses for characters for a defined period and obtaining consent from actors before cloning their voices. The aim is to create new revenue streams without replacing human actors.
Magee was initially approached by Replica Studios based on a voice-over sample he had created featuring a Scottish accent. From his home studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, he has since developed several AI replicas and proposed his concepts for them. Each character he voices is recorded with various emotions, resulting in an extensive audio dataset covering different styles and moods.
The experience has provided Magee with diverse acting opportunities beyond AI, including a role in the upcoming strategy game Godsworn.
Voice actor Zeke Alton, known for his roles in the Call of Duty franchise, comprehends the appeal of AI replicas for studios aiming to scale up game franchises with vast virtual worlds. He acknowledges the practicality of using AI to populate game environments with diverse characters while considering the physical demands on actors during intense scenes.
Alton is receptive to AI tools that alleviate the physical strain involved in creating game characters, such as combat sounds and motion-capture sequences. He believes in a collaborative approach that leverages AI to enhance game development while preserving the artistic contributions of human performers.
