TL;DR:
- Allegations suggest that AI was used for English dub voice lines in Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections.
- Players noted unnatural voiceovers in the game, sparking speculation about AI involvement.
- Voice actors expressed concerns, with one suggesting AI elements detected in voice clips.
- Bandai Namco has not issued an official statement regarding AI use.
- This controversy is part of a wider debate on AI in the gaming industry.
Main AI News:
The gaming community is abuzz with accusations aimed at the creators of the latest Naruto fighting game, Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections. Allegedly, generative AI tools have been utilized to produce voice lines for the game’s English dub. While these allegations are yet to be substantiated, Bandai Namco and CyberConnect2, the publisher and developer, have chosen to remain silent amidst the growing controversy.
Shortly after the game’s release on November 17, players took to social media platforms to highlight the presence of peculiar, unnatural, and remarkably subpar voiceover lines in the English dub. Some have directly questioned the voice actors responsible for delivering these jarring performances, while others swiftly speculated about the involvement of AI technology. This controversy surrounding AI is not isolated, as the multiplayer shooter “The Finals” faced severe backlash for employing AI voices just a month prior.
In recent days, the allegations related to AI in Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections have gained momentum, coming from both voice actors engaged in the project and the general public. When a curious fan on Twitter questioned Maile Flanagan, the English voice actor for Naruto, about her peculiar delivery of a particular line, she responded unequivocally, stating, “I can GUARANTEE I did not say that line that way.” Flanagan’s post triggered a cascade of follow-up questions from users, many of whom were convinced that AI played a role. Notably, Flanagan refrained from directly accusing the game’s developers of AI involvement, but she made it abundantly clear that the line in question did not originate from her.
Another voice actor involved in Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections, Michael Schwalbe, further escalated the situation on Twitter. He revealed that he had shared some of the suspect voice clips with a friend who analyzed them using AI-detection software. Shockingly, the software apparently identified a “blend of human and AI elements” within the Ultimate Ninja voiceover clips. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that AI detection tools may not always be infallible.
If it indeed turns out that Bandai Namco employed generative AI tools to create these voice lines, the company may find itself in a precarious position. Schwalbe emphasized, “This was a union game. Generative AI use is supposed to be forbidden.” The unethical application of AI technology in this manner is a pressing issue, one that has prompted video game voice actors to contemplate strike action alongside their counterparts in Hollywood. As of now, Bandai Namco has refrained from issuing an official statement concerning the potential use of AI in Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections.
This controversy represents the latest in a series of disputes related to AI in the gaming industry. As generative AI tools become more widespread, opposition to their exploitative and unethical use continues to grow. However, whether major studios will take meaningful steps to address these concerns remains uncertain.
The question remains: Was AI truly utilized in Naruto x Baruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections, or is there another explanation lurking beneath the surface? Only time will tell.
Conclusion:
The controversy surrounding the alleged use of generative AI in the English dub of Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections raises significant ethical concerns within the gaming industry. As the debate over AI’s role in voice acting continues to grow, companies will likely face increased scrutiny and pressure to uphold industry standards and transparency in AI utilization.
