adminArc Raiders AI development has drawn attention as players debate how artificial intelligence should be used in game production. Embark Studios CEO and founder Patrick Söderlund says the studio is not using AI to avoid hiring people or replace existing employees. He describes game development as a people-focused industry, with technology intended to support teams rather than take their place.
Image credit: Embark Studios
What Embark says about Arc Raiders AI development
In an interview with GamesBeat, Söderlund addressed criticism of Embark’s use of AI across its games, including the extraction shooter Arc Raiders. He said the technology is not intended to eliminate roles or entire job groups. Instead, the studio sees it as a way to speed up certain tasks and help developers focus their time where it is most useful.
That distinction matters when evaluating AI use in games: the studio’s stated purpose is not the same as an independent assessment of how the technology affects every role. Players and industry observers may want to consider what work is automated, who contributes to the final result, and how people involved are compensated.
Voice actors and faster game updates
Söderlund said Embark continues to work with contracted voice actors and considers them an important part of its development process. He also said the studio pays for their voices. In some situations, an artificial voice can help the team make a change more quickly, such as when updating game content.
For players, faster production tools may help developers respond to changes and deliver updates sooner. However, the use of synthetic voices raises questions about consent, compensation and how a performer’s work is used. Embark’s comments point to an approach that combines contracted performers with artificial voices in some update scenarios.
AI tools and ongoing game support
Söderlund also connected Embark’s use of AI to the ongoing support of The Finals, the studio’s free-to-play shooter. He said the game has received an update every week since launch, alongside substantial improvements. In his view, that pace has been supported not only by AI, but also by investments in tools, production pipelines and technology, as well as the work of the development team.
This suggests that AI is one part of a broader production setup, rather than the sole reason a game can be updated regularly. For players comparing studios’ support plans, the practical details to watch are the frequency and substance of updates, alongside how each company explains its tools and staffing choices.
Arc Raiders’ launch and Embark’s position
When Arc Raiders launched in October, it became the most successful global launch in the history of Embark’s parent company, Nexon. The game’s popularity has put additional attention on the studio’s production methods and its use of AI.
Söderlund said he does not expect games to be created automatically by artificial intelligence. His position is that AI can make tedious tasks quicker, while creative decisions and the wider development process continue to rely on people. The discussion around Arc Raiders AI development is therefore likely to remain focused on how studios balance efficiency with human contribution, clear consent and fair compensation.
