Ashly Burch, the voice behind Aloy in the Horizon series, recently addressed a leaked AI-powered video featuring her character. The video, which surfaced last week and was reported by The Verge, showcased Sony's experimental technology where an AI version of Aloy interacted with Sony Interactive Entertainment's director of software engineering, Sharwin Raghoebardajal. In the video, AI Aloy responded to questions with a robotic voice and stiff facial animations, clearly distinguishing it from Burch's performance.
Burch confirmed on TikTok that she had viewed the video and was informed by Horizon developer Guerrilla that the demo did not represent any ongoing projects or utilize any of her performance data. This clarification suggests that the AI Aloy technology won't be used in the upcoming Horizon multiplayer game or the anticipated Horizon 3. However, Burch expressed concern about the broader implications for the art of game performance, using the incident to highlight the ongoing strike by video game voice actors.
The strike, led by the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), focuses on securing protections against the use of AI in replicating actors' performances. Burch emphasized the importance of consent, fair compensation, and transparency in how AI is used to create digital doubles of actors. She voiced fears that without these protections, future generations of actors could lose the ability to control their own performances, impacting the future of the industry.
Despite her concerns, Burch clarified that her criticism was not directed at any specific company, including Guerrilla, but at the industry's reluctance to provide the protections demanded by the striking actors. She pointed out that temporary union contracts, which offer these protections, are available for game companies to sign immediately.
The conversation around AI in gaming extends beyond Horizon. Generative AI has become a contentious topic in both the video game and broader entertainment industries, with companies like Keywords Studios facing challenges in creating AI-generated content that resonates with audiences. Meanwhile, companies such as Activision have disclosed using AI for certain game assets, amid varied reactions from the gaming community.
The voice actor strike has already affected several games, with noticeable changes in voice acting in titles like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft. High-profile incidents, such as the recasting of characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Zenless Zone Zero, further illustrate the strike's impact.
Asad Qizilbash from PlayStation Studios highlighted the importance of AI in meeting the demands of younger gamers for personalized experiences, suggesting a future where AI could enhance player interactions with non-player characters. This reflects a broader industry trend towards leveraging AI to cater to evolving player expectations.
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