Cracking the Code: Embark's CCO on Why Arc Raiders' AI Isn't the Doom We Feared (Or Is It Just a Different Kind of Wizardry?)

AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer · Thu Oct 30 2025

Embark Studios CCO Stefan Strandberg defends their use of specific AI tools, like text-to-speech and machine learning for dynamic enemy animations, in Arc Raiders, emphasizing they are *not* using generative AI and aim to foster creative risks with smaller teams. While he asserts there are "no shortcuts to great games," the debate continues on where human creativity ends and AI assistance truly begins.

Right then, gather 'round, folks, because Embark Studios is back in the spotlight, and guess what? AI's the topic again. Arc Raiders is out today, and while players are flocking like pigeons to a dropped chip, there's a familiar hum of controversy that's got everyone twitching like they've seen a glitch in the Matrix. Sound familiar? It's that same sore spot we all saw with The Finals, mate.

Now, before we grab our pitchforks and march on the digital castle, let's get our AI definitions sorted, eh? Turns out, Embark's CCO, Stefan Strandberg, told Eurogamer (cheers, Connor Makar, for the excellent chat!) that they're *not* slinging generative AI around in Arc Raiders. Nope, not the 'write a whole novel from a prompt' kind that gets everyone in a tizzy. Instead, we're looking at text-to-speech (TTS) – remember that from The Finals? – and some clever machine learning for enemy animations. They're still aiming to be on the 'forefront of emerging technologies,' apparently.

That last bit about the enemy animations is proper wizardry, actually. Strandberg reckons if you blast a leg off an Arc enemy, it'll use machine learning to try and rebalance itself on the fly, creating these 'fantastic emergent moments.' Talk about emergent gameplay! You're almost playing with something that’s got a digital will to live. Pretty neat, innit? It's just one piece of the puzzle, mind, but it’s definitely one of those 'what if we tried this?' moments that gets my curious gears grinding.

So, about the TTS then. Strandberg, who came out of sound design for bloody Battlefield games, makes a point about using real actors for key roles – 'nothing can replace that,' he says, having just recorded with 'two wonderful actors.' But for the 'tedious repetition' or areas needing 'increased scope' where voice actors might not see it as 'valuable work'? That's where the TTS steps in, apparently helping them keep the studio lean and agile.

And this 'lean studio' idea? That's a big one for Embark. Strandberg highlighted the crazy climb in team sizes for AAA games – 2,000, 3,000 people! He argues they set up Embark from day dot to leverage new tech, including AI and procedural tools, to keep teams smaller and take creative risks. Fair enough, right? In an era of studio closures and mass layoffs, you can see why that's an attractive spell to cast. But it does leave you scratching your head a bit: where's the line between 'tool' and 'replacement' when the stated goal is to keep teams smaller *because* of tech?

Strandberg's mantra is 'no shortcuts to making great games.' Which is lovely, mate, but if AI is helping you increase scope, create dynamic enemy movements you 'wouldn't have otherwise,' and keep your team small... isn't that, well, a *shortcut* to something? Or at least a very efficient, magically-enhanced path? He says it's about creating 'new and exciting player experiences' and that AI just makes the tools more exciting. Like having a self-stirring cauldron instead of stirring it yourself – still gotta have the recipe, I suppose.

But the big question, the one that hangs in the air like a poorly cast invisibility spell, is what this means for human talent. Embark insists these tools aren't a replacement for developers. They're 'guided by us,' Strandberg emphasizes, adding that only 'one piece of that process was done with machine learning.' But when a studio actively aims to keep its team smaller *because* of tech, and uses AI for lines that human actors might consider 'not valuable work,' it's tough not to feel a shiver down your spine. Are we heading for a future where only the 'valuable' work is left for us mere mortals, while the 'tedious' bits are handled by the silicon sorcerers? It's a conversation that's far from over.

So, where do we land on Embark's AI gambit for Arc Raiders? It’s a bit of a mixed bag, isn't it? On one hand, dynamic enemies sound bloody cool and genuinely add something unique to the player experience. On the other, the ongoing dance around AI's role in creative industries still feels like we're all learning the steps on the fly, trying to figure out if it's a helpful familiar or a mischievous imp. It seems Embark is trying to walk that tightrope between innovation and alienating creators, armed with a clear vision and a healthy dose of technological curiosity. Will it pay off in the long run? Only time, and a few more patches, will tell. For the full lowdown, go suss out Connor Makar's original chat over at Eurogamer – he did the legwork, after all! (Source: Eurogamer)

Tags: AI in Gaming, Game Development, Arc Raiders, Embark Studios, Web3 Gaming

Original article: Eurogamer