Title: The Finals Faces Criticism for its Use of AI Announcers in Controversial Shooter Game
Introduction:
Embark Studios’ highly anticipated first-person shooter game, The Finals, is receiving backlash for its implementation of “terrible” AI announcers within the game. Released as an open beta on popular platforms such as Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation, The Finals is already gaining popularity, with a record-breaking peak concurrent player count of 229,992 on October 29. However, amidst its success, the game’s use of AI voices has stirred up controversy.
Game Concept:
The Finals places players in a virtual combat game show, with destructible environments that allow players to alter their surroundings strategically.
The Controversy:
Criticism has arisen regarding The Finals’ implementation of AI announcers. Voice actor Gianni Matragrano drew attention to the use of AI voices in a viral Twitter thread, criticizing Embark Studios for their decision. The AI voices were revealed by an Embark developer in a podcast interview, where they explained that contestant voices and voiceover commentators were generated through AI text-to-speech. However, vocalizations such as player breathing and jumping were recorded using traditional methods due to current limitations of AI technology.
Embark’s Justification:
Embark Studios justified their use of AI text-to-speech by emphasizing its efficiency and flexibility in adapting to new ideas and maintaining freshness in the game. They pointed out that AI-generated voiceovers could be created within hours instead of months, proving to be a cost-effective solution for the studio.
Critics Respond:
Some critics, including voice actors themselves, expressed concerns about potential job losses in the industry if AI voices become widespread in games. They argued that hiring actual voice actors was not only quicker but also produced higher-quality results. Others criticized the use of AI as a way for developers to cut corners and prioritize profit over the employment of human actors.
Counterarguments:
However, not everyone opposed the use of AI in The Finals. Some players appreciated the dynamic nature of the AI announcers, highlighting the difficulty of manually recording every possible scenario. They argued that in a non-story-driven game like The Finals, voice acting served as background noise rather than a crucial element.
Embark Studios Stands Firm:
Despite the controversy, Embark Studios remains committed to their AI approach and emphasizes the exponential improvements in AI technology, dubbing the current era as an “incredible time.”
Conclusion:
The Finals’ use of AI announcers has sparked a heated debate within the gaming community. While critics argue for the importance of human voice actors and express concerns about potential job losses, others appreciate the dynamic nature AI brings to the game. Embark Studios stands firm in their decision, touting the benefits of AI technology in terms of efficiency and flexibility. As the industry continues to evolve, the role of AI in game development remains a hot topic of discussion.
