EA Sports FC, the latest iteration in EA's long-running football video game franchise, continues to evolve both on and off the field by integrating advanced AI voice technology into its matchday commentary.
In a recent report from BBC Sport, it was revealed that iconic sports commentator Guy Mowbray, known for his tenure on Match of the Day and as a long-standing voice in various football titles, now collaborates with EA to bring both authenticity and innovation to the virtual pitch—including the use of an AI-assisted version of his voice. Guy Mowbray, whose first appearance in a video game dates back to UEFA Champions League Season 2001/2002 on the PlayStation 2, brings decades of broadcast experience to EA Sports FC.
As per the BBC interview, Mowbray described his current work with EA as a "continual" process, stating, "Recording or preparing commentary is a weekly commitment for me, stretching from November until early July." This substantial workload stems from the relentless need to update the commentary database as new players, game modes, and terminology are introduced to the FIFA series—now rebranded as EA Sports FC. Unlike live commentating, voicing thousands of lines for a game requires Mowbray to record footballer names in numerous styles and tones to match variable in-game scenarios.
With the ever-growing list of over 20,000 footballers in EA Sports FC, this daunting task has led EA to employ artificial intelligence as an augmentation tool.
"AI has been integrated into multiple facets of our development pipeline, from animation to gameplay systems," an EA spokesperson clarified to the BBC.
"When it comes to commentary and content, it's always a collaboration with our talent—never a replacement." For Mowbray, authenticity remains central to the experience.
"The delivery of my lines must change depending on the position on the pitch, reflecting how I would naturally commentate in a live match," he noted.
He and his co-commentator, Sue Smith, are closely involved in crafting multiple variants of lines, ensuring the voiceover feels dynamic and personal rather than generic.
"Scripts can’t be rigid.
I develop my own ways to introduce players or moments so that the commentary feels real.
It’s the same for Sue—she’ll deliver her own insights in numerous styles as well." While the specifics of AI usage for commentators beyond Mowbray remain unspecified, EA’s commitment to combining technology with human creativity is evident.
The conversation around AI in video game voice acting remains complex, especially following industry-wide discussions and concerns among voice professionals, including high-profile figures like Jennifer Hale, and earlier union actions. The use of AI-generated commentary not only highlights EA's ongoing innovation within EA Sports FC but also signals a broader transformation in video game production, particularly on platforms like the Nintendo Switch, where immersive experiences are paramount.
As AI integration becomes more prevalent, the collaboration between technology and talent like Guy Mowbray sets a benchmark for the future of sports game commentary.
In a recent report from BBC Sport, it was revealed that iconic sports commentator Guy Mowbray, known for his tenure on Match of the Day and as a long-standing voice in various football titles, now collaborates with EA to bring both authenticity and innovation to the virtual pitch—including the use of an AI-assisted version of his voice. Guy Mowbray, whose first appearance in a video game dates back to UEFA Champions League Season 2001/2002 on the PlayStation 2, brings decades of broadcast experience to EA Sports FC.
As per the BBC interview, Mowbray described his current work with EA as a "continual" process, stating, "Recording or preparing commentary is a weekly commitment for me, stretching from November until early July." This substantial workload stems from the relentless need to update the commentary database as new players, game modes, and terminology are introduced to the FIFA series—now rebranded as EA Sports FC. Unlike live commentating, voicing thousands of lines for a game requires Mowbray to record footballer names in numerous styles and tones to match variable in-game scenarios.
With the ever-growing list of over 20,000 footballers in EA Sports FC, this daunting task has led EA to employ artificial intelligence as an augmentation tool.
"AI has been integrated into multiple facets of our development pipeline, from animation to gameplay systems," an EA spokesperson clarified to the BBC.
"When it comes to commentary and content, it's always a collaboration with our talent—never a replacement." For Mowbray, authenticity remains central to the experience.
"The delivery of my lines must change depending on the position on the pitch, reflecting how I would naturally commentate in a live match," he noted.
He and his co-commentator, Sue Smith, are closely involved in crafting multiple variants of lines, ensuring the voiceover feels dynamic and personal rather than generic.
"Scripts can’t be rigid.
I develop my own ways to introduce players or moments so that the commentary feels real.
It’s the same for Sue—she’ll deliver her own insights in numerous styles as well." While the specifics of AI usage for commentators beyond Mowbray remain unspecified, EA’s commitment to combining technology with human creativity is evident.
The conversation around AI in video game voice acting remains complex, especially following industry-wide discussions and concerns among voice professionals, including high-profile figures like Jennifer Hale, and earlier union actions. The use of AI-generated commentary not only highlights EA's ongoing innovation within EA Sports FC but also signals a broader transformation in video game production, particularly on platforms like the Nintendo Switch, where immersive experiences are paramount.
As AI integration becomes more prevalent, the collaboration between technology and talent like Guy Mowbray sets a benchmark for the future of sports game commentary.
