Aspyr Removes AI-Generated Voices from Tomb Raider Remasters Following Legal Action

A recent development in the gaming industry has seen Aspyr, the studio behind the Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered collection, retract unauthorized AI-generated voice content. This decision follows a formal cease-and-desist order from Fran\u00e7oise Cadol, the French voice actor for Lara Croft, who raised objections to the unapproved use of artificial intelligence in the game's audio. The removal, confirmed by Aspyr on September 19th via a hotfix, aims to rectify the situation while preserving other enhancements introduced in previous updates.

This resolution brings a quiet end to a contentious issue that emerged when Cadol, in August, publicly criticized the inclusion of AI-generated dialogue in the remastered versions of \"The Last Revelation,\" \"Chronicles,\" and \"Angel of Darkness,\" stating it was used without her consent. Subsequently, Lene Bastos, the Brazilian Portuguese voice actor for the games, voiced similar concerns. Aspyr has since offered an apology to Bastos, attributing the error to an external development partner and committing to the removal of all AI-generated voices within weeks.

In response to Aspyr's action, Cadol and the French voice actor association Les Voix hailed the decision as a triumph against the replication of human voices by AI. They emphasized that this outcome sends a powerful message to both the video game and film sectors, underscoring the necessity for innovation to align with ethical principles and respect the contributions of human artists.

The removal of AI-generated voices in the Tomb Raider remasters underscores the critical importance of ethical considerations in technological advancements. This incident serves as a reminder that as AI continues to integrate into creative fields, upholding the rights and ensuring the consent of human creators is paramount for fostering an industry that is both innovative and equitable.