CD Projekt Red worked with an AI company on Geralt's Polish voice in The Witcher 3 Songs of the Past
CD Projekt Red supplied Respeecher with every line Rozenek recorded for the original Witcher 3, then had the firm train a voice‑cloning model to generate a younger‑sounding Polish Geralt. The AI‑enhanced audio replaces the lower, gruffer recordings Rozenek produced post‑stroke, aligning the new expansion’s dialogue with the 2013 game’s tone. The studio secured Rozenek’s explicit consent, and the English Geralt, voiced by Doug Cockle, required no AI intervention. This marks the second time Respeecher has been enlisted by CDPR, the first being a Cyberpunk 2077 character after the original actor’s death, highlighting the publisher’s willingness to lean on synthetic speech when real‑world constraints arise.
The move sits squarely within a broader industry experiment with generative audio. Respeecher markets its technology as “ethical, respectful, and beneficial,” emphasizing signed agreements for each voice replica. Yet the practice remains controversial: developers such as Embark have faced backlash for substituting real actors with AI voices in titles like Arc Raiders, prompting calls for transparency and labor protections. CDPR’s approach—limited to a “special case” where health issues prevent a seamless re‑recording—contrasts with broader cost‑driven adoptions and underscores the fine line between practical necessity and potential displacement of voice talent.
Looking ahead, the Witcher 3: Songs of the Past will serve as a live test of audience tolerance for AI‑generated dialogue in a legacy franchise. If players perceive the restored Polish voice as authentic, other studios may cite this as a precedent for retrofitting older games without costly studio sessions. However, the reliance on consent and the public’s sensitivity to synthetic voices could invite regulatory scrutiny, especially as unions push for clearer AI usage guidelines. Monitoring fan reaction, future CDPR contracts, and any legal challenges will reveal whether this “ethical” deployment becomes a niche solution or a template for wider adoption.
Key Takeaways
CD Projekt Red used Respeecher’s voice‑cloning to replace post‑stroke Polish recordings with a younger‑sounding Geralt for Songs of the Past.
Rozenek gave explicit permission, and the studio supplied the full catalog of original Witcher 3 lines for model training.
The project follows a prior Respeecher collaboration on Cyberpunk 2077, indicating CDPR’s growing reliance on AI for voice continuity.
Player acceptance of the AI‑retouched dialogue will likely influence whether other publishers adopt similar consent‑based voice‑cloning for legacy content.
About the Source
This analysis is based on reporting by GamesRadar. Here is a short excerpt for context:
Jacek Rozenek suffered a stroke and his voice changed in recoveryRead the original at GamesRadar
