Bryant Francis
@bryantfrancis.me
Writer: Zephon, Endless Space 2 (rbryantfrancis@gmail.com)
Senior Editor: Game Developer (bryant.francis@gamedeveloper.com)
Otherwise: There’s a better world out there. Still looking for it.
Portfolio: www.bryantfrancis.me
Senior Editor: Game Developer (bryant.francis@gamedeveloper.com)
Otherwise: There’s a better world out there. Still looking for it.
Portfolio: www.bryantfrancis.me
Reposted by Bryant Francis
So, I'm playing through Star Ocean 3 again, and one thing I noticed: every cutscene is voice acted. Every one. Even the incidental side characters and dude who shows up in one cutscene, given a unique voice and temperament.
In 2003.
We've solved the problem already.
In 2003.
We've solved the problem already.
November 11, 2025 at 3:13 PM
So, I'm playing through Star Ocean 3 again, and one thing I noticed: every cutscene is voice acted. Every one. Even the incidental side characters and dude who shows up in one cutscene, given a unique voice and temperament.
In 2003.
We've solved the problem already.
In 2003.
We've solved the problem already.
I don't wanna write about AI anymore 😭😭😭
November 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I don't wanna write about AI anymore 😭😭😭
Reposted by Bryant Francis
i don't even get it. The time consuming bit of VO is cutting the lines, balancing the volume, and tagging them. the actual acting into a microphone bit is -- really quick? Make an AI tool that matches dialogue lines up to a raw audio recording and snips it, and you've saved 90% of the time?!
November 11, 2025 at 2:52 PM
i don't even get it. The time consuming bit of VO is cutting the lines, balancing the volume, and tagging them. the actual acting into a microphone bit is -- really quick? Make an AI tool that matches dialogue lines up to a raw audio recording and snips it, and you've saved 90% of the time?!
I'm open to the notion that AI voice lines could reduce vocal stress on actors so you can implement more barks but if you pay by the hour you're cheapening their rate, why would they take that gig?
And...doing VO in a healthy way is a solved problem, you just need trained professionals.
And...doing VO in a healthy way is a solved problem, you just need trained professionals.
November 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I'm open to the notion that AI voice lines could reduce vocal stress on actors so you can implement more barks but if you pay by the hour you're cheapening their rate, why would they take that gig?
And...doing VO in a healthy way is a solved problem, you just need trained professionals.
And...doing VO in a healthy way is a solved problem, you just need trained professionals.
The hardest I rack my brain about it I come up with two good use cases:
1. Chatbot-based NPCs (One of these surely would have taken off by now if this worked reliably)
2. You need more lines in your game than has ever been recorded by a factor of 10*
*This is still doable with human talent
1. Chatbot-based NPCs (One of these surely would have taken off by now if this worked reliably)
2. You need more lines in your game than has ever been recorded by a factor of 10*
*This is still doable with human talent
November 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
The hardest I rack my brain about it I come up with two good use cases:
1. Chatbot-based NPCs (One of these surely would have taken off by now if this worked reliably)
2. You need more lines in your game than has ever been recorded by a factor of 10*
*This is still doable with human talent
1. Chatbot-based NPCs (One of these surely would have taken off by now if this worked reliably)
2. You need more lines in your game than has ever been recorded by a factor of 10*
*This is still doable with human talent
Use it for "junk" audio no one cares about? (Voiceover commercials on TV/Radio?) You nuke the reliable pay that sustains folks building their skills.
Use it to cast your game? Wipe out convention circuit revenue for actors to organically connect with your fans.
Use it to cast your game? Wipe out convention circuit revenue for actors to organically connect with your fans.
November 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Use it for "junk" audio no one cares about? (Voiceover commercials on TV/Radio?) You nuke the reliable pay that sustains folks building their skills.
Use it to cast your game? Wipe out convention circuit revenue for actors to organically connect with your fans.
Use it to cast your game? Wipe out convention circuit revenue for actors to organically connect with your fans.
Of all the AI tools voiceover feels like the biggest poison pill. Every justification I can wrap my head around feels designed to crater the economics of the business, choking off the pipeline for tomorrow's Jennifer Hale, Erika Ishii, or Elias Toufaxis.
November 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Of all the AI tools voiceover feels like the biggest poison pill. Every justification I can wrap my head around feels designed to crater the economics of the business, choking off the pipeline for tomorrow's Jennifer Hale, Erika Ishii, or Elias Toufaxis.
(don't forget the Game Developers Choice Awards! 😭😭)
November 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
(don't forget the Game Developers Choice Awards! 😭😭)
There I games I love that ask me to read chunks of static text to get good backstory and I'm sorry my ADHD-ass brain can no longer sit still enough for that.
November 11, 2025 at 12:21 AM
There I games I love that ask me to read chunks of static text to get good backstory and I'm sorry my ADHD-ass brain can no longer sit still enough for that.