The discussion about artificial intelligence in gaming has recently undergone a significant shift, as Apex Legends finds itself right in the heart of the controversy.
The entire French voice acting team for the game declined new agreements that granted the publisher extensive rights to use their voices across various platforms, potentially even in artificial intelligence simulations.
Under the guidance of Pascale Chemin (voice actress for Wraith in French), concerns are growing within the creative sector over the possibility of AI taking jobs. This shift stems from a recent change in their contracts after six years of providing voices for Apex Legends, which came as an unexpected requirement.
The agreement would stipulate relinquishing all ownership rights to their voices, enabling AI-created duplicates to be utilized in upcoming ventures without requiring additional consent or remuneration in the future. Upon legal advice from a media attorney, Chemin expressed concerns that these conditions were questionable and unsuitable.
Despite numerous actors finding it challenging to maintain steady roles within the industry, Chemin emphasized that this was more than just a single part. It was about establishing a pattern of fair treatment. She wasn’t isolated in her viewpoint. In unison, all 32 members of the Apex Legends French voice-over team declined to sign the contract, collectively turning it down.
According to a post by Chemin (@pascalechemin_officiel) on Instagram, the overall scenario seemed concerning.
English translation:“Before even being called to a video game recording session, the studio sent me (as well as the other 31 actors in the cast) a confidentiality and transfer annex from the publisher directly via email. In order to be called and thus work, I must first accept these clauses. At first glance, they are not acceptable, which was confirmed by a legal expert specializing in audiovisual law. I am forced to ‘let go’ of the role I’ve been voicing for almost 6 years. In no way can I ‘force’ the rest of the cast to do the same, but one thing is certain: If we all refuse, it could have an impact. Otherwise, it’s a waste of time.THE OTHER 31 ACTORS, WITHOUT HESITATION, REFUSED TO SIGN THIS ANNEX. We wrote a collective refusal and sent it to the publisher, and we are waiting for a response. Because if we are not united now, to ensure that a clause protecting our voices is officially added to our contracts, and this for all studios that record video games, we will never have it, and we’re heading straight for disaster.Of course, refusing to work right now is absurd; there is little or no work for some (many), and things are getting tougher. So yes, a payment is welcome. But here, we’re not just being asked to work; we’re being asked to give up our know-how to train generative AI that will replace us tomorrow. We’re being asked to accept what we’re fighting against. We’re being asked to shoot ourselves in the foot. We’re being asked to endorse #AI.”
It’s clear that this decision had been carefully thought through. Many of these performers depend on projects such as Apex Legends for a stable income, and refusing work in today’s competitive market can be risky. However, the significance of this contract transcended mere employment for them – it represented the possibility of AI eventually replacing human voice actors entirely.
The debate swirling around Apex Legends hints at a broader shift in the gaming industry. An increasing number of businesses are resorting to artificial intelligence (AI) to cut expenses, occasionally compromising human imagination along the way. Activision has openly acknowledged utilizing AI-generated assets within Call of Duty, while Electronic Arts (EA) is delving into AI-driven speech synthesis. This technological advancement could empower games to generate dialogue on the fly and potentially eliminate the need for professional voice actors in the future.
Many professionals within the field find the growing trend towards AI-generated content an uncertain road to tread. The potential for game developers to lock in voice talent for unlimited contracts could result in a slow but steady displacement of human voice actors, with their images potentially being utilized without consent or equitable compensation.
As of now, the French cast of Apex Legends is waiting for a response from the publisher.
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2025-02-27 07:42