CD Projekt Red’s “Songs of the Past” narrative add-on to the open-world action role-playing game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is being created using generative AI. At least the Polish version of the addon.
Image source: CD Projekt Red
CDPR localization producer Mikołaj Szwed said Game Filethat the studio turned to generative software from Respeecher to modify the voice of the Polish voice actor of Geralt in the add-on: “It was a special case.”
Jacek Rozenek, who voiced Geralt in the Polish versions of CDPR’s The Witcher from the very first part, suffered a stroke in 2019 and could not even speak for several months. In 2021, the artist returned to work, but not in the same way as before.
CDPR has already collaborated with Respeecher to recreate the voice of the late Cyberpunk 2077 Polish dub star
After a difficult recovery, Rosenek’s voice changed: it became lower, rougher. CDPR feared that it would hurt the ears of Polish players if Geralt began to sound different from scene to scene: in one scene the “old” Roseniek speaks, and in the next the “new” one.
With Rosenek’s permission, CDPR decided to use AI from Respeecher to give the actor’s new voice an old sound. The algorithm was trained on tens of thousands of lines that the artist recorded for the base The Witcher 3.
Rosenek has not heard his AI double and, it seems, has no plans
According to Shved, the situation with Rosenek is one of those cases where the use of artificial intelligence is “morally justified, approved [затронутым актёром] and is aimed at good.”
“The main thing is that this voice is as close as possible to mine 12 years ago. I completely trust… the creators of the game. In terms of vocal dynamics, I can play that role. Of course, it’s good that the voices will be similar,” Rosenek shared.
The extent of Geralt’s role in The Witcher 4 has not yet been confirmed
CD Projekt Red also emphasized that they do not intend to use the algorithm to modify Roseneck’s voice in the future. A deeper, rougher voice would be perfect for the older Geralt in The Witcher 4.
“Ballads of the Past” will be released in 2027 on PC (Steam, GOG, EGS, Battle.net), PS5, Xbox Series X and S, as well as Nintendo Switch 2. Meanwhile, The Witcher 4 is expected to be released in 2028 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X and S.
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