CD Projekt Red has confirmed it used AI-assisted voice work from Respeecher to restore Polish actor Jacek Rozenek’s performance for The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past, the studio’s next expansion slated for release next year.
The move was disclosed amid coverage of the expansion and follows the developer’s recent work on a remaster of The Witcher 3 that arrived on Switch hardware and other platforms in September.
Background and context
Jacek Rozenek, who provides Geralt’s Polish voice, suffered a stroke in 2019.
When production began on Songs of the Past, CD Projekt Red’s team recorded new dialogue and noticed Rozenek’s voice had become lower and gruffer compared with earlier performances.
To preserve continuity in the Polish-language performance and avoid jarring differences for players switching between old and new lines, the studio engaged Respeecher to record and refine the actor’s voice with his cooperation.
Why the studio used AI in this case
CD Projekt Red described the decision as a specialist measure taken with Rozenek’s consent.
The developer framed the use of Respeecher’s technology as a way to ethically employ AI tools to support a performer and maintain consistency in a major role.
CD Projekt Red’s head of localization, Mikołaj Szwed, said the studio views this as an example of using AI responsibly when there is clear consent from the actor and a constructive outcome for the project and its audience.
Additional production notes
- Respeecher’s technology was previously noted by the studio as having been used in other high-profile projects.
CD Projekt Red characterized its use here as a “special case.”
- Doug Cockle, who has long performed Geralt’s English voice, is confirmed to return as the character’s English-language voice actor for Songs of the Past.
What this means for players
For players on Nintendo platforms and other systems, the aim is a seamless experience in both Polish and English dialogue tracks when the expansion launches next year.
CD Projekt Red’s public statements emphasize consent and ethical use of AI in localization and voice production as part of the studio’s approach to finishing the new expansion.
The move was disclosed amid coverage of the expansion and follows the developer’s recent work on a remaster of The Witcher 3 that arrived on Switch hardware and other platforms in September.
Background and context
Jacek Rozenek, who provides Geralt’s Polish voice, suffered a stroke in 2019.
When production began on Songs of the Past, CD Projekt Red’s team recorded new dialogue and noticed Rozenek’s voice had become lower and gruffer compared with earlier performances.
To preserve continuity in the Polish-language performance and avoid jarring differences for players switching between old and new lines, the studio engaged Respeecher to record and refine the actor’s voice with his cooperation.
Why the studio used AI in this case
CD Projekt Red described the decision as a specialist measure taken with Rozenek’s consent.
The developer framed the use of Respeecher’s technology as a way to ethically employ AI tools to support a performer and maintain consistency in a major role.
CD Projekt Red’s head of localization, Mikołaj Szwed, said the studio views this as an example of using AI responsibly when there is clear consent from the actor and a constructive outcome for the project and its audience.
Additional production notes
- Respeecher’s technology was previously noted by the studio as having been used in other high-profile projects.
CD Projekt Red characterized its use here as a “special case.”
- Doug Cockle, who has long performed Geralt’s English voice, is confirmed to return as the character’s English-language voice actor for Songs of the Past.
What this means for players
For players on Nintendo platforms and other systems, the aim is a seamless experience in both Polish and English dialogue tracks when the expansion launches next year.
CD Projekt Red’s public statements emphasize consent and ethical use of AI in localization and voice production as part of the studio’s approach to finishing the new expansion.
