Ashly Burch, the voice behind Aloy in the Horizon series, recently addressed a leaked internal Sony video that showcased AI technology using her character. Burch took to TikTok to express her concerns and highlight the ongoing demands of striking voice actors. The video, which has since been removed, featured Sony Interactive Entertainment's director of software engineering, Sharwin Raghoebardajal, interacting with an AI-generated Aloy. The AI version of Aloy displayed robotic speech and stiff facial animations, clearly distinct from Burch's performance.
Burch confirmed that she was informed by Horizon developer Guerrilla that the tech demo did not represent any ongoing development and did not utilize her performance data. This clarification suggests that the AI Aloy will not appear in the upcoming Horizon multiplayer game or the anticipated Horizon 3. However, Burch emphasized that Sony owns the character of Aloy, raising broader concerns about the future of game performance as an art form.
The leaked video prompted Burch to discuss the ongoing video game voice actors strike, led by the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The union has been negotiating for protections against the use of AI in voice acting, seeking consent, fair compensation, and transparency on how AI doubles are used. Burch expressed her worry not about the technology itself, but about the potential lack of protections for actors if the strike fails, which could severely impact the future of the industry.
Burch reiterated her support for the strike, emphasizing the need for protections to ensure the longevity of voice acting careers. She pointed out that temporary union contracts are available for game companies to sign, which would provide the protections that striking actors are demanding.
The use of generative AI in video games remains a controversial topic, with companies like Keywords Studios facing challenges in creating AI-generated content that resonates with audiences. Despite setbacks, companies such as Activision have continued to integrate AI into their games, like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, amidst backlash from the gaming community.
The voice actor strike has already affected several games, with noticeable impacts on titles like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft, where some NPCs have been left unvoiced. High-profile incidents include the recasting of characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the replacement of voice actors in Zenless Zone Zero.
Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions and head of product at PlayStation Studios, highlighted the importance of AI in catering to the personalization demands of Gen Z and Gen Alpha gamers, suggesting that AI could enhance player experiences by making interactions more personal and meaningful.
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