"We're not going to use f***ing AI to do it, I will find the money to pay humans," says dev of lovely Star Fox-style roguelike looking to add voice acting
Jan. 11, 2024“AI voices are a technical marvel, and also like most current AI creative endeavors, lifeless and ethically dubious”
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
One developer behind a fabulous recent roguelike is planning to add voice acting post-launch, and he’s strongly intent on doing it the old-fashioned way: with actual human voices.
Aaron San Filippo, the director ofWhisker Squadron: Survivor, a self-styled “cosmic roguelite on-rails shooter” which many have affectionately compared to Nintendo’s iconic Star Fox series, says he understands the technical appeal of AI-generated voice acting, but argues that the creative and ethical cons outweigh the pros.
“My goal is to add VO to Whisker Squadron: Survivor and we’re not going to use fucking AI to do it,” said Filippo in aTwitter postWednesday. “I will find the money to pay humans and it will be awesome. AI voices are a technical marvel, and also like most current AI creative endeavors, lifeless and ethically dubious.”
The rapid rise in AI-generated content has sparked a contentious debate about the implications for the future of the video game industry, particularly in development and voice talent. Back in November,voice actors from Star Wars to Starfield spoke outaboutMicrosoft’s potentially devastating decision to partner with a company to help generate AI character dialogue, and just this week,another group of high-profile video game actors slammedUS union SAG-AFTRA’s new agreement with an AI voice tech company.
The outspoken Filippo previously made headlines in October whenWhisker Squadron: Survivor added an accessibility feature which, for whatever reason, sparked some small, sad outcryin Steam reviews. Filippo responded: “Sorry, not sorry.”
Looking for something new to play? Here are some of thebest PC gamesavailable today.
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar’s west coast Staff Writer, I’m responsible for managing the site’s western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I’m too afraid to finish.
Balatro creator says the business aspect of making his hit roguelike is something he’s still “learning the ropes” of
