🔍 Summary:
A leaked Sony test demo video featuring a generative AI version of Aloy, the protagonist from the PlayStation’s Horizon franchise, has sparked concerns among gamers and industry professionals. In the video, Aloy is depicted with a robotic, text-to-speech voice instead of the familiar voice of Ashly Burch, her usual voice actor. Burch, who was informed by Guerrilla Games that the demo wasn’t part of active development, expressed her worries about the future of game performance as an art form. She highlighted ongoing issues in voice acting, particularly the need for actors to consent to the use of their voice replicas and to be informed about how these replicas are utilized.
The AI-generated Aloy in the demo provides basic game information that players can typically access through gameplay, underscoring the capabilities of generative AI in gaming. This incident occurs amidst a broader push by major game publishers to integrate generative AI into various aspects of game development, including voice acting. This push is happening against the backdrop of a nearly year-long strike by SAG-AFTRA voice actors, who are demanding better control and rights over the use of their performances in AI applications.
Burch voiced concerns that the use of AI could undermine the careers of voice actors, particularly those less established than herself, potentially jeopardizing the future of the profession and the quality of game performances. Sony has not yet commented on the leaked video or their plans for incorporating such technology into their products. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions and ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in creative industries.
📌 Source: https://gizmodo.com/horizon-actor-ashly-burch-speaks-on-sonys-ai-aloy-video-2000576589