Embark Studios Balances AI and Human Talent in Arc Raiders Development

Arc Raiders, the PvPvE extraction shooter released in October 2025, has surpassed 14 million copies sold and continues to engage a strong player base. Embark Studios, the game’s developer, has navigated the evolving landscape of AI in game development, initially utilizing generative AI for voice acting but subsequently incorporating more human talent.

Initial Use of AI Voices and Subsequent Revisions

To manage the budget of Arc Raiders, Embark Studios initially employed AI-generated voices for some non-essential dialogue, including ping system audio and certain NPC lines. However, the studio quickly recognized the limitations of AI in delivering truly immersive performances.

The Value of Human Voice Actors

Patrick Söderlund, CEO of Embark Studios, emphasized the superior quality of professional voice actors. “We re-recorded some of the lines post-launch and made them with real voices. There is a quality difference. A real professional actor is better than AI. that’s just how it is,” Söderlund stated in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz.

AI as a Production Tool

Embark Studios views AI primarily as a production tool to streamline the development process. The studio utilizes AI for internal testing and rapid prototyping of dialogue options. “We look at [AI] first and foremost as a production tool. We can test things internally. We can test 15 different lines without recording them and then we know what to record,” Söderlund explained. The studio also compensates actors for licensing their voices through text-to-speech for specific, less critical applications.

Fair Compensation and Actor Collaboration

Embark Studios prioritizes fair compensation for voice actors, paying them for all studio time and for the licensing of their voices for text-to-speech applications. The studio continues to collaborate with actors as they update and expand the game.

A Cost-Effective Development Approach

Embark Studios has demonstrated an ability to develop high-quality games with a fraction of the budget typically associated with AAA titles. According to GamesIndustry.biz, Arc Raiders was developed on approximately a quarter of the budget of a traditional AAA game. This efficiency is attributed to innovative workflows and the strategic use of tools like AI.

The Future of AI in Game Development

Embark Studios’ approach highlights a balanced perspective on the role of AI in game development – leveraging its potential as a tool although recognizing the irreplaceable value of human creativity and performance. The studio’s ongoing commitment to improving Arc Raiders suggests a continued refinement of this approach.