‘Cyberpunk 2077’ Maker Resurrects Actor’s Voice With AI After His Passing

Game developer CD Projekt Red, the minds behind the popular Cyberpunk 2077, employed artificial intelligence voice cloning to bring back a beloved character. The actor MiÅ‚ogost Reczek, who had breathed life into Viktor Vektor in the Polish version, sadly left us in 2021, just as the game’s Phantom Liberty DLC was on the horizon.

The decision to recreate Reczek’s voice wasn’t just about preserving his work but also paying a profound tribute to his artistry. According to a report from Bloomberg, his family gave their blessing.

CD Projekt Red partnered with Respeecher, a Ukranian voice technology company. The task was to refashion another actor’s lines into Reczek’s voice, dubbing it over with an AI voice cloning program.

Respeecher has previously worked with other big-name production houses, including Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, in recreating a young Luke Skywalker out of Mark Hamill’s current voice.

Yet, the intersection of AI and entertainment, especially when it involves resurrecting deceased actors, has sparked contentious discussions. Concerns about job security and the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence have culminated in the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, voting in favor of a strike authorization for video game actors. Within this, professionals are seeking proper consent and compensation for using their voices in AI projects.

[via Engadget and Bloomberg, screenshot via CD Projekt Red/Cyberpunk 2077]