Astarion's Got No Time for AI: Baldur's Gate 3 Star Slams Synthetic Shenanigans
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Neil Newbon, Astarion's actor from Baldur's Gate 3, isn't a fan of AI in games, arguing it stifles creativity and lacks the human touch. He believes games should be made with people, not algorithms, to preserve the "happy accident possibility" of organic collaboration.
Right, so the digital grapevine's buzzing, and this time it's about everyone's favourite vampire spawn with a silver tongue, Astarion from *Baldur's Gate 3*. Turns out, Neil Newbon, the actor who brought Astarion to undead life, isn't just good at delivering cutting one-liners; he's also got some pretty strong opinions on the rise of AI in game development. And fair dinkum, he's not holding back. (Credit to Game Rant for originally reporting on this!)
Newbon reckons generative AI in games is, to put it mildly, a load of rubbish. In a recent interview with Radio Times Gaming, he didn't mince words, stating that developers themselves “don't want to use AI because it's s***. It doesn't work very well, it takes a lot of effort to get something that's half-decent.” Bit harsh? Maybe. But also, kinda refreshing in a world drowning in corporate buzzwords and promises of technological utopia.
He raises a solid point, though. Where's the *joy* in it? Is creating a game just about churning out content as quickly and cheaply as possible, or is it about… you know… crafting something with passion, with happy little accidents, with the unique fingerprint of human creativity? Newbon's clearly in the latter camp. He's not keen on seeing synthetic creations because, well, they're *synthetic*. It lacks soul, innit?
This isn't just some actor throwing a tantrum about robots stealing his job (though, let's be real, that's a legitimate concern for many in the industry). Newbon touches on something deeper: the loss of the “happy accident possibility” that comes from human collaboration. Think about it – how many iconic gaming moments were born from a developer accidentally leaving in a bug that turned out to be hilarious, or a writer improvising a line that became legendary? Can AI replicate that kind of organic magic? I reckon not.
And he's not alone in his skepticism. Samantha Béart, the actress behind Karlach (another *Baldur's Gate 3* standout), has also voiced similar concerns about AI. Seems like the cast of this game is as passionate about the art of creation as they are about slaying goblins and romancing tieflings.
Look, AI in gaming is a thorny issue. On one hand, it promises to streamline development, reduce costs, and potentially open doors for smaller studios with limited resources. But on the other hand, it raises questions about job security, artistic integrity, and the very soul of what makes games special.
Personally, I'm with Newbon on this one. While I'm always up for exploring new tech, I'm wary of anything that threatens to homogenize the creative process or devalue the human element. Games are, at their heart, a form of artistic expression. And last I checked, robots aren't exactly known for their emotional depth. (Unless you're talking about HK-47 from *Knights of the Old Republic*, then all bets are off.)
So, the debate rages on. Will AI revolutionize gaming for the better, or will it suck the joy out of it, one algorithm at a time? Only time will tell. But for now, I'm siding with the vampire spawn. AI sucks. End of story.
Tags: Baldur's Gate 3, AI in Gaming, Neil Newbon, Game Development, Voice Acting
Original article: Game Rant