CD Projekt Red Uses AI to Preserve Geralt Voice in Witcher 3 DLC
CD Projekt Red Turns to AI for Geralt’s Voice in Upcoming DLC
Polish voice actor Jacek Rozenek has portrayed Geralt of Rivia since the first Witcher game released in 2007. In 2019 he suffered a stroke that changed his vocal tone, making it deeper and rougher than the original performance. For the upcoming Witcher 3 expansion titled Songs of the Past, CD Projekt Red faced a choice: recast the role or find a way to keep Rozenek’s original voice. The studio chose a third path that leverages artificial intelligence.
How the Technology Works
According to a report from Notebookcheck, CD Projekt Red will record Rozenek’s new lines and then process them through Respeecher, an AI voice cloning system. The software analyzes the actor’s earlier recordings and adjusts the new audio to match the timbre, pitch, and delivery of his pre-stroke performance. This allows Rozenek to continue performing the character while preserving the consistency players expect across the entire Polish language track.
Why This Approach Matters
Recasting a long-standing voice actor can disrupt player immersion, especially in a narrative-driven series where the protagonist’s voice is a core part of the experience. By using AI to bridge the gap, the developer maintains continuity without asking the actor to strain his voice or hiring a replacement. The decision also highlights a growing trend in entertainment: using machine learning to preserve artistic contributions when health issues intervene. For Polish players, Rozenek’s voice is inseparable from Geralt’s identity, making this solution particularly meaningful.
Industry Context
Respeecher has been used in other high-profile projects, including the Disney+ series The Mandalorian to recreate a younger Luke Skywalker voice. Its application in gaming shows how studios are exploring AI not just for content generation but for accessibility and preservation. However, the technology raises questions about consent, compensation, and the future of voice acting as a profession. CD Projekt Red’s approach keeps the original actor at the center of the process, which may set a precedent for ethical deployment of voice synthesis in interactive media.
What Players Can Expect
Songs of the Past is slated to arrive as an addition to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. While the exact release date has not been confirmed, the use of AI voice synthesis means Geralt’s Polish dialogue should sound consistent with the base game. Players using other language tracks will not be affected, as those voice actors are not reported to have similar constraints. The DLC continues the story of Geralt and Ciri, and the voice preservation ensures the Polish localization retains its original emotional resonance.
Community and Industry Reaction
Early responses from the Witcher community have been largely supportive, with many praising the studio for prioritizing the actor’s well-being and the character’s authenticity. Voice acting unions and industry observers are watching closely, as the case could influence how future contracts address AI-assisted performance preservation. CD Projekt Red has not disclosed the financial terms of the arrangement with Respeecher, but the collaboration signals a willingness to invest in technology that serves creative continuity rather than replacement.
