Leon Kennedy Voice Actor: AI Cannot Replace Human Performances in Games

Taking a Stand Against AI Voices

As AI voice synthesis continues to advance, the debate over its role in game development is heating up. The actor behind Resident Evil's iconic Leon Kennedy has weighed in, saying he firmly believes AI cannot replicate the nuance and authenticity of human performances.

Voice Acting Costs Are Minimal for Big Games

The actor made a pointed argument: for large-budget productions like Arc Raiders, the cost of a voice recording session is negligible compared to the overall development budget. He suggested that using AI to cut such costs is a false economy — one that sacrifices quality for savings that barely register on a balance sheet.

“I'd like to see AI try to nail Grace's screams and emotion. It can't.”

Community Reaction

The r/pcgaming post attracted nearly 2,000 upvotes and sparked a rich discussion. A recurring observation pointed out an irony: large studios with the budget to hire real talent will likely be the first to adopt AI voices, while indie developers who could genuinely benefit from cost savings may avoid it due to licensing and ethical concerns.

Industry Context

The gaming industry is grappling with AI's role in voice acting. SAG-AFTRA has been pushing for clearer guidelines on AI voice use in games, and multiple high-profile titles have been embroiled in controversy over undisclosed AI-generated voices. This voice actor's comments add a prominent perspective to an ongoing and unresolved debate.