The video game industry found itself in a heated debate over the weekend about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in game development, particularly in relation to voice acting and performance capture.
The main instigator? Christoph Hartmann, the head of Amazon Games, known for such hits such as New World and Crucible, which no one really remembers.
Hartmann recently expressed his support for increased AI integration in video game production while seemingly dismissing the importance of voice actors, much to the collective chagrin of the internet.
In a recent interview, Hartmann shared his vision, saying that AI will help streamline the video game development process and reduce production times. He argued that the current five-year development cycle for AAA games is too long, suggesting that AI could help shorten this to around three years. This, he believes, would allow for more iteration and potentially lower budgets.
However, Hartmann’s negative comments on voice acting, saying “For games, we don’t really have acting,” has received criticism for its inaccuracy and for dismissing the crucial role that voice actors and motion capture performers play in modern game development.
This statement comes at a particularly sensitive time, as members of SAG-AFTRA, the union representing many voice actors in the gaming industry, are on strike. The union is fighting for better protections for its members, particularly in relation to the use of AI technology that could potentially replace human performers.
Hartmann’s comments couldn’t be further from the truth. Most critically acclaimed and commercially scucessful games in recent years have received praise for their performances. Titles like The Last of Us Part II, God of War: Ragnarök, and Baldur’s Gate 3 have all received accolades for their voice acting and motion capture work.
Can you imagine if AI had replaced Ashley Johnson as Ellie in The Last of Us? Or, would Kratos’ now-iconic “boy” reverberate and echo as much had it not been for Christopher Judge?
Harmann wasn’t content on his comments and views on AI and performance capture. He also suggested that AI could be particularly useful in game localization, potentially allowing for more languages to be supported in games. While this could indeed increase accessibility for players around the world, it overlooks the nuanced work of professional translators and voice actors in adapting games for different cultures and languages.
It doesn’t take an expert to see how the human element in game development, be it in voice acting and motion capture or other aspects, is part of what makes the memorable characters and experiences that define great games.
It’s clear that the integration of AI in game development remains a contentious issue and will remain so for the foreseeable future. While proponents like Hartmann see it as a way to increase efficiency and expand creative possibilities, many are right to express their concern about the potential loss of jobs and the impact on game quality. The ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike highlights the gravity of the situation and the need for the video game industry to carefully consider how it will use AI.
The challenge now is for the industry’s largest publishers to find a way to balance the potential benefits of AI while preserving the irreplaceable human elements that have made video games such a powerful and beloved medium.
