Aspyr Removes AI-Generated Voiceovers from Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered on Nintendo Switch After Legal Challenge

Aspyr Media has acted swiftly after intense backlash over the use of AI-generated vocals in the recently released Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered for Nintendo Switch.

The remastered collection, which revisits the classic adventures of Lara Croft, first launched in February 2024, captivating both new players and long-time fans with updated visuals and features.

However, the inclusion of AI-generated voice acting in the game’s most recent update sparked controversy, especially among the French-speaking gaming community. The issue came to light when Françoise Cadol, the renowned French voice actor behind Lara Croft in the '90s games and the Angelina Jolie-led films, discovered that her iconic vocal performance had been replicated using artificial intelligence in the remastered package.

Cadol noted discrepancies in voice quality after an August update, observing that the new lines sounded metallic, inconsistent in tone, and lacked the emotive delivery of her original work.

"The timbre still resembles Françoise, but it’s choppy and lacks genuine intonation or, at times, is poorly performed," Cadol’s attorney, Jonathan Elkaim, said, summarizing her experience. In response, Cadol’s legal team filed a formal notice against Aspyr Media, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the collection from sale and requesting detailed data regarding sales figures.

The legal challenge intensified spotlight on the use of generative AI to reproduce established voice roles without the performer’s consent—an issue growing in significance within the voice acting industry.

Notably, French voice actors have initiated the #TouchePasMaVF campaign to protect their performances from being used to train AI models without clear authorization. After the controversy reached international attention and was shared by influential Tomb Raider community accounts, Aspyr Media released a hotfix on September 22, 2025.

The update effectively removed all AI-generated voiceovers from the remaster’s French version while retaining other enhancements introduced in prior patches.

In an official statement following the patch, Aspyr said, “We have resolved this matter by removing all AI voiceover content, ensuring the improvements from the previous update remain intact.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and encourage players to contact our customer support with any related concerns.” The debate has extended beyond this particular release, with Paul Douglas, who co-created the original Tomb Raider alongside Toby Gard in 1996, weighing in on the evolving landscape of voice acting and artificial intelligence.

The incident underscores growing industry concerns regarding consent and proper compensation for performers in an age where AI-generated content is increasingly integrated into remastered video games. Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered remains available on Nintendo Switch and other platforms, but the removal of AI-generated vocals marks a significant turning point in how publishers and developers address the delicate balance between technological innovation and creative legacy.

Aspyr Media’s response sets a noteworthy precedent for handling similar disputes in the future.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Tomb Raider AI Aspyr Lara Croft Aspyr Media Dark Horse Comics Françoise Cadol Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered #TouchePasMaVF Paul Douglas Toby Gard Game Developer