Earthion Developer Ancient Clarifies No Generative AI Used in Final Release

Ancient and Composer Yuzo Koshiro Address AI Voice Acting Concerns in Earthion for Nintendo Switch In June 2024, Ancient—a renowned Japanese developer widely celebrated for contributions to classic gaming franchises—launched its latest title, Earthion, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop.

While the fast-paced shooter received early praise for its retro-inspired gameplay and soundtrack crafted by industry veteran Yuzo Koshiro, recent discussions on social platforms have raised questions regarding the game's use of artificial intelligence in its voice production. Earlier this week, a report on BlueSky alleged that Earthion had incorporated generative AI for in-game voices, stoking concern among fans of Ancient.

Given the ongoing debate within the gaming industry over the ethics of generative AI in creative fields, the claim prompted immediate responses from the studio.

Addressing the rumors directly, Yuzo Koshiro clarified that "no generative AI was used in Earthion's final version," firmly disavowing the claim circulating online. The allegation reportedly originated when a user discovered past Twitter posts from Koshiro in which he had mentioned experimenting with an AI-powered vocal synthesizer for early development purposes.

Koshiro has since elaborated, noting that while Synthesizer V—an AI vocal synthesis tool—was used during the prototype stage to create temporary placeholder voices, it "is not generative AI like ChatGPT or Midjourney." Instead, he explained that Synthesizer V produces vocals from text input utilizing licensed voice models and does so with "the full consent of the voice providers involved." Koshiro emphasized that no unauthorized or unethically sourced material was used at any point in Earthion's development.

He further detailed that all synthetic vocal tracks served only as placeholders.

"During development, we used Synthesizer V at the prototype stage for convenience, but all those lines were later replaced by professional human voice actors in the official release," Koshiro stated.

"We are committed to upholding artistic integrity and greatly value the contributions of human artists and voice talent." With Ancient's confirmation, the studio has reinforced its reputation for transparency and ethical production practices.

Earthion’s final version showcases solely human-performed voice acting, affirming Ancient and Koshiro’s ongoing respect for creative professionals.

As the conversation around AI in game development continues, Ancient’s approach with Earthion serves as a noteworthy standard among Nintendo Switch developers. Earthion is now available for purchase on the Nintendo Switch eShop, continuing Ancient's legacy of quality releases for both indie and established gaming audiences.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Yuzo Koshiro Earthion AI Ancient Synthesizer V Nintendo Direct eshop