Football commentator’s AI voice licensed for EA Sports FC
▼ Summary
– Football commentator Guy Mowbray has permitted EA to use AI to replicate his voice for generating player names in EA Sports FC.
– Mowbray’s traditional recording process is extensive, requiring multiple recordings of each name with different emphasis to match in-game scenarios.
– The AI voice cloning will help cover the over 20,000 real footballer names in the game, supplementing his ongoing weekly commentary work.
– EA states that AI is used as a collaborative tool with talent for commentary, not as a replacement, to enhance game authenticity.
– This contrasts with other voice actors, like Françoise Cadol, who have objected to AI voice replication being used without their consent.
The world of video game commentary is undergoing a significant shift, with artificial intelligence now playing a direct role in creating authentic audio experiences. Esteemed football commentator Guy Mowbray has officially licensed his voice to Electronic Arts, granting the developer permission to replicate his vocal patterns using AI technology. This collaboration aims to streamline the monumental task of recording thousands of player names for the popular EA Sports FC franchise.
Mowbray detailed the traditional, labor-intensive process to the BBC, explaining that he must record each footballer’s name approximately five separate times. Each recording varies in emphasis and tone, designed to match different in-game actions and positions on the pitch. With his schedule already packed, working on game commentary nearly every week from November through July, the sheer volume of over 20,000 real player names presented a logistical challenge. By allowing EA to generate new name pronunciations via an AI model of his voice, the process becomes far more manageable and efficient.
Electronic Arts confirmed that AI has been integrated into various aspects of their development for years, from refining animations to enhancing gameplay mechanics. A company spokesperson emphasized that this technology serves to support development teams in crafting more responsive and immersive football simulations. Crucially, they stated that for narrative and audio content like commentary, AI is implemented as a collaborative tool with human talent, not as a replacement for it. The goal is to augment the process while preserving the authentic feel that fans expect.
For Mowbray, the evolving nature of the game demands constant updates. New players join leagues, terminology changes, and fresh game features are introduced regularly, making commentary a dynamic and ongoing project. He finds this aspect exciting, noting that the work never stands still. The depth required is immense, as commentators must envision and record lines for every conceivable in-game scenario to maintain that crucial sense of realism and authenticity, which is the core appeal of the simulation.
However, this emerging practice of voice replication does not enjoy universal acceptance within the industry. Not all voice actors are willing to grant such permissions, highlighting a growing ethical and contractual debate. Last September, Françoise Cadol, the French voice of Lara Croft in several Tomb Raider titles, sent a formal notice to publisher Aspyr. She alleged the company used AI to clone her voice for the Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered collection without her consent. Similarly, around the same time last year, the French voice cast for Apex Legends collectively refused to sign contracts that would have authorized their vocal performances to be used for training AI models, underscoring the concerns many performers have about their likeness and livelihood.
(Source: Games Industry)
