CD Projekt Red, the developer behind Cyberpunk 2077, employed AI voice cloning technology in its Phantom Liberty DLC to reproduce the voice of the late actor Miłogost Reczek, who originally voiced Viktor Vektor in the Polish edition of the game. Miłogost Reczek, the actor who portrayed the character Viktor Vektor in the Polish version of the game, passed away in 2021 prior to the production of the Phantom Liberty DLC, in which he would have likely reprise his role. CD Projekt Red, with the approval of Reczek’s family, chose this approach as a way to honor his remarkable performance.
Rather than substituting Reczek completely, CD Projekt Red collaborated with Respeecher, a Ukrainian voice technology company recognized for de-aging Mark Hamill’s voice in “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett” to portray a younger Luke Skywalker. Another actor was hired to deliver the new lines, and Respeecher’s software transformed them into Reczek’s voice, as revealed by CD Projekt’s Localization Director, Mikołaj Szwed. Reczek, considered one of Poland’s finest voice talents, had also contributed his voice to significant roles in “The Witcher” series.
The use of AI in the entertainment sector has given rise to significant debates and demands for stronger safeguards for actors and their likenesses. In September, SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, voted in favor of authorizing a strike for video game actors due to concerns that their employment could be jeopardized by the increasing reliance on AI by studios. Zelda Williams, the daughter of Robin Williams, recently criticized the practice of simulating the voices of deceased actors using AI, asserting that they cannot provide consent. In this specific case, CD Projekt Red underlined the strong support it received from Reczek’s family to proceed with the AI-driven tribute.
