The 2025 breakout hit, *Arc Raiders*, garnered massive success but simultaneously faced persistent blowback over its development practices, primarily centering on the studio’s utilization of generative AI for text-to-speech systems. Patrick Söderlund, the head of developer Embark, has once again stepped into the conversation to defend the decision, asserting that the technology is integral to achieving higher efficiency and improving overall game quality.
In a recent conversation with GamesBeat, Söderlund provided context for Embark’s adoption of AI, emphasizing that their core objective is simply to make better games more efficiently. He stressed that the studio views AI as a powerful supplementary tool, not a means of reducing staff.
Söderlund was explicit in pushing back against the anxiety that AI integration leads to job cuts or the replacement of human talent, including voice actors. “We don’t use AI to not have to hire people or replace people or job groups or voice actors,” he stated unequivocally. He urged the wider community to reconsider the technology’s role, viewing it as a substantial aid for developers that ultimately translates into a “tremendous benefit to players.” Söderlund acknowledged that the use of AI remains an “intricate subject,” but maintained that its utility in assisting development is crucial.