Horizon actor Ashly Burch says Sony's AI Aloy video makes her feel “worried that gaming performance is an art form”

Horizon actor Ashly Burch spoke on a leaked AI Aloy video online last week and used it to raise demand for compelling voice actors.

last week, edge Reports appeared Internal Sony Video Showcases AI-driven Characters Using Aloy's Technique from Horizon Series. Sony has not responded to IGN's request for comment.

In the now-deleted video, Sony Interactive Entertainment Director Sharwin Raghoebardajal talks with AI-powered Aloy through voice prompts and AI-generated speeches and facial animation. Raghoebardajal asked Aloy how she performed and she replied: “Hello, I'm trying to do it.”

The sound coming from Aloy's mouth was obviously not Burch, but a robotic sound similar to the sound heard by a text voice generator. Ai Aloy's facial movements were stiff and her eyes looked lifeless as she talked to Raghoebardajal.

Burch brought Aloy voiceovers (Zero Dawn, Forbidden West, Call of the Mountain and Lego Horizon Adventure) to social media platform tiktok in all four Horizon video games released so far to confirm that she had watched the video, and Guerrilla of the Horizon developer has contacted her to let her know that the technology does not reflect any performances that express any performances, nor any performances that have performed well, or used any performances. Ai Aloy can probably be ruled out Assume the character is in the game and the inevitable Horizon 3. But, as Burch pointed out, the guerrillas (and parent company Sony Interactive Entertainment) have Aloy as a role.

With all this in mind, Birch said the AI ​​Aloy video made her feel “worrying about gaming performance as an art form” and used it as a jump point to discuss the ongoing video game voice actor strike that claimed many high-profile casualties in recent weeks.

Last week, the Association of Screen Actors – the Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) released the latest news to its members about the status of video game actor AI Protections negotiations, saying that despite the progress, the industry’s bargaining “still “dismasingly” related to key issues.

“At the moment, what we're fighting for is that you have to get our consent before you can make an AI version in any form, you have to compensate us fairly and you have to tell us how you use this AI Double,” Birch said.

“I feel worried, not because the technology exists. Not even because the game companies want to use it. They certainly do it. They always want to take advantage of technological advancements. I just imagine a video like this that does have someone's performance, does have someone's voice, face or action. If we lose this fight, that person will not have the right to pursue it. They will not have any protection, any counterattack. This possibility makes me feel very sad and hurt my heart. It makes me feel scared. I love this industry and this art form very much, and I want a new generation of actors. I want to have so many incredible game performances. I hope to be able to continue to do the job. If we don't win, the future will be damaged.

“I really don't want to explode any game company specifically,” Birch continued. “Of course it's not a guerrilla. The technology is not a problem. The game company that wants to use the technology is not a problem. The problem is that we are currently on strike and the bargaining team will not agree to provide us with common sense protection.

“I support strikes. I have always supported strikes. I believe that fighting is the future and lifespan we want to protect, and we all love this profession very much.”

Birch then points to the temporary union contract, all the protections currently required for the compelling voice actors that any video game company can now sign. “There are now any temporary, layered and low-budget agreement contracts signed by gaming companies,” Birch said. “I believe we should be protected.”

@ashly.burch

Let's talk about Ai Aloy

♬ Original Sound – Ashly Burch

Generative AI is one of the hottest topics in the video game and entertainment industry, and has suffered huge layoffs in recent years. It actually enjoys the content due to moral issues, rights issues, and AI efforts, which has attracted criticism from players and creators. For example, Keyword Studio tries to create experimental games internally using full AI. The game failedkeyword quotes investors, that is, AI “cannot replace talent.”

Nevertheless, this has not allowed many video game companies to use generative AI in the development of their products. Activision recently revealed the use of generating AI for some kind of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Assets As part of the new steam requirement, in a strong rebound on the zombie Santa loading screen.

The strikes of voice actors have begun to affect many video games. Players report that games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft seem to have no sound in scenes that otherwise sound, which may be due to strikes. Sag-Aftra attacked League of Legends after the riots in the second half of last year Allegedly attempted to subvert the strike by canceling the game's response. And confirmed the event Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 characters are recast After players expressed concern for the new voice.

Just last week, Two Zenless Zero Zero Voice actors reveal When they saw the latest patch notes for the game, they learned that they were replaced.

Leader of PlayStation Productions and Leader of Products of PlayStation Studios Asad Qizilbash Weighing AI, saying its use in video games is important for Gen Z and alpha gamers They seek “personalization all over the world”.

“For example, non-player characters in the game can interact with players based on the behavior of the player. This is important for young Gen Z and Alpha audiences who are digital, looking for personalized first generations of the whole thing and seeking experiences that have greater meaning.”

Wesley is the UK news editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter via @wyp100. You can reach Wesley via [email protected] or secretly visit [email protected].