When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.

The conversation around AI in gaming isnt exactly new.

For a while now, people have been wondering if artificial intelligence might eventually replace human actors.

The Witcher 3 screenshot of Geralt

Its not just about delivering lines or syncing up facial animations.

For Saxon, it goes much deeper.

Theres something missing - something you cant quite quantify - that lifts a performance from decent to genuinely moving.

The Witcher 3

And its that something that brings characters to life.

One of her favourite moments?

When voice actors finally join a project.

Looking over the countryside in Assassin�s Creed Shadows

Its the point where characters stop being just drawings or words on a page, she explains.

Thats when they start to breathe.

They get a pulse.

Astarion from Baldur�s Gate 3

She describes how the energy in a dev team shifts when actors come onboard.

Those scripted lines and concept designs suddenly start feeling real, like living, feeling people.

Yes, AI tools are evolving quickly.

AI Limit

It can save time and resources.

But when it comes to the main characters, the emotional heart of a game?

Thats where Saxon believes AI still falls short.

Baldur�s Gate 3 Karlach

Actors bring more than just their voices, she says.

They bring life experience, their instincts, their emotional intelligence.

Not yet, at least.

Two horse riders move down a cobbled street

Here’s everything we know aboutThe Witcher 4,which we imagine won’t feature AI.

The Witcher 3

The Witcher 4

Ciri in The Witcher 3

Ciri seen in the cinematic reveal trailer for The Witcher 4, out of breath from a fight.

The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster

Scarlett Johansson in Jurassic World Rebirth

GTA 6 reveal trailer screenshot showing a young blonde woman standing near a sunny rooftop pool, wearing a white and gold bikini

Stardew Valley

GTA 6

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Bleach

Articulate box, cards, board, and tokens on a wooden table

The cast of Thunderbolts standing in an elevator during the trailer for the upcoming Marvel Phase 5 movie.

Logan Kim as Hershel and Lauren Cohan as Maggie in The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2