CD Projekt Uses AI to Recreate Voice of Deceased Actor for Cyberpunk 2077 Expansion
CD Projekt, the publisher and developer of the highly anticipated game Cyberpunk 2077, revealed that it utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate the voice of a deceased actor. According to reports from Bloomberg, CD Projekt employed this cutting-edge technology to add new voice lines for Miłogost Reczek, a beloved Polish voice actor.
Reczek had lent his voice to the character Viktor Vektor in the Polish version of Cyberpunk 2077. Sadly, he passed away in 2021, leaving CD Projekt with a dilemma on how to feature his character in the game’s Phantom Liberty expansion.
One option considered was to hire a new voice actor to perform the role of Viktor and re-record Reczek’s lines for both the expansion and the base game to maintain consistency. However, CD Projekt decided against this approach, as Reczek was highly regarded as one of the best Polish voice talents, and his performance was considered exceptional.
Instead, CD Projekt enlisted a new voice actor to record new lines and employed voice cloning software called Respeecher to modify the voice and make it sound as if Reczek himself had performed the lines. The company obtained permission from Reczek’s family before implementing this plan, and they expressed their support for the project.
The Phantom Liberty expansion, which featured the AI-assisted voice recreation, was released last month and has garnered critical acclaim. However, the use of AI technology in the entertainment industry remains a topic of debate. Concerns have been raised by members of the acting community, fearing that studios may misuse AI to replace actors, tamper with their performances, or cut costs without fair compensation.
Recently, members of SAG-AFTRA, the American actors’ labor union, voted overwhelmingly in favor of potential video game strike action. Negotiations between the union and the game industry have stalled due to the union’s concerns regarding wages, protections against exploitative use of AI, and basic safety precautions.
The use of AI to recreate the voice of a deceased actor in Cyberpunk 2077 demonstrates how technology can bridge the gap in creative projects. However, it also highlights the ongoing discussions surrounding the ethical and fair use of AI in the entertainment world. As this technology continues to advance, it will be crucial to strike a balance between innovation and protecting the rights and welfare of actors and performers.