Last week, an internal Sony video showcasing AI-powered characters in the Horizon series leaked online, featuring an AI version of Aloy. The video, which has since been removed, prompted a response from Ashly Burch, the voice actor for Aloy in the Horizon games. Burch used the video as a platform to highlight the concerns of striking voice actors.
The video, as reported by The Verge, demonstrated technology utilizing Aloy to showcase AI-powered characters. In the video, Sharwin Raghoebardajal, a Sony Interactive Entertainment director, conversed with an AI Aloy. The AI’s responses, generated through text-to-speech technology, lacked the emotion and nuance of Burch’s original performance. The facial animations also appeared stiff and unnatural.
Burch, who has voiced Aloy in all four Horizon games released to date, including Zero Dawn, Forbidden West, Call of the Mountain, and Lego Horizon Adventures, addressed the video on social media. She confirmed that Horizon developer Guerrilla had informed her that the tech demo did not reflect any active development plans and didn’t utilize any of her performance data. This suggests that this AI version of Aloy isn’t intended for the upcoming Horizon multiplayer game or the anticipated Horizon 3.
However, Burch emphasized that Guerrilla and its parent company, Sony Interactive Entertainment, own the character of Aloy. This context led Burch to express her concerns about the future. She said the AI Aloy video left her feeling “worried about game performance as an art form.” She then segued into discussing the ongoing voice actors strike initiated by the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
SAG-AFTRA recently updated its members on the negotiation status regarding AI protections for video game actors. While progress has been made, significant disagreements remain with the industry bargaining group regarding crucial matters. Burch summarized their key demands: “you have to get our consent before you make an AI version of us in any form, you have to compensate us fairly, and you have to tell us how you’re using this AI double.”
Burch elaborated on her concerns, stating that the issue wasn’t the existence of technology but rather the potential lack of protections. She noted the implications of losing the fight for proper safeguards, where actors might have no recourse. She reflected on her love for the industry and her desire for a future filled with talented performers. She stated, “If we don’t win, that future is really compromised.”
She clarified that she wasn’t singling out any particular game company, specifically Guerrilla. The main problem is that the bargaining group hasn’t agreed to provide common-sense protections, she said. “I support the strike. I’ve always supported the strike. I believe fighting is what we have to do to protect the future and the longevity of this career that we all love so much.”
Burch also pointed out the temporary union contracts currently in place that protect the striking voice actors’ demands, which any video game company can sign. “There’s the interim, the tiered, and low budget agreement contracts available right now for any game company to sign,” she stated. “I believe we deserve to be protected.”
Generative AI is a hot topic within the video game and entertainment industries, which have seen considerable layoffs in recent years. This technology has drawn criticism from both players and creators due to ethical and rights concerns, as well as AI’s current inability to produce enjoyable content. For instance, Keywords Studios attempted to create an experimental game using entirely AI, which ultimately failed. Keywords cited to investors that AI was “unable to replace talent.”
Despite this, several video game companies are utilizing generative AI in their development processes. Activision recently revealed the use of generative AI for some Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 assets. Also, the voice actor strike has already impacted several video games. Some video games, such as Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft, apparently have NPCs left unvoiced in otherwise voiced scenes, likely due to the strike.
Asad Qizilbash, Head of PlayStation Productions and Head of Product at PlayStation Studios, weighed in on AI, arguing its importance to Gen Z and Gen Alpha gamers, who seek personalization in all aspects of their experiences. Qizilbash said, “For instance, non-player characters in games could interact with players based on their actions, making it feel more personal.”
