“Cyberpunk 2077” used artificial intelligence to reproduce the voice of a deceased actor

In recent years, the intervention of AI in the artistic environment has become a topic of debate. Moreover, the writers’ strike has already ended, as well as the actors, who among their requests ask to stop the excessive use of the mentioned technology. However, in the video game industry, the forecasts are not always negative. CD Projekt RED, the studio responsible for Cyberpunk 2077, turned to artificial intelligence to reproduce the voice of a deceased actor.

In such a situation, it would be normal to think that the actor’s relatives are unhappy with the studio’s actions. CD Projekt RED will soon find itself surrounded by controversy and criticism, just as it is in the world of cinema. However, in this case this was not the case.

Before starting this practice, CD Projekt RED has requested permission from Milogost Recek’s relativeswho conveys his voice Victor Vector in Polish version Cyberpunk 2077. If you’ve ever played as him, you know that he’s one of the most important characters, especially at the beginning of the adventure.

Rechek, unfortunately, died in December 2021. That is, a year after its release Cyberpunk 2077. However, CD Projekt RED it took his voice again to Phantom Freedomthe first and only expansion of the game, which was released only in September last year.

The company could have taken the easy route and looked for a new voice actor. However, if you think about it, it would be quite strange for a character to have different voices in the same game. After all, Phantom Freedom can be watched in parallel with the main story Cyberpunk 2077.

CD Projekt RED knew that artificial intelligence could get them out of this predicament. But before anything began, they first needed to discuss it with Recek’s family. Luckily, they allowed the actor’s voice to be reproduced. “The children of Rechek supported me very much”commented Bloomberg Mikolaj Shved, director of localization of the Polish studio.

However, he admitted that he was uncomfortable doing it in the voice of “one of the best Polish announcers”, adding: “His performance in the game as Dr. Victor Vector was stellar.”

Having received the go-ahead from relatives, the developers applied the technology speakerA launch The Ukrainian specializes in artificial intelligence. His tool allows you to generate voices from a simple snippet of an existing voice. In this case, they used material already recorded by Recek. Cyberpunk 2077.

It should be noted that Respeecher is already an established company in the entertainment industry. Before you take part in the expansion Cyberpunk 2077they worked with Lucasfilm to recreate the young voice of Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) in The Mandalorian, Boba Fett book And Obi-Wan Kenobi. The result, as you probably remember, was unexpected.