CD Projekt Red has announced an innovative approach to maintain the authenticity of Geralt of Rivia’s voice in the forthcoming “Songs of the Past” DLC for The Witcher 3. Following a stroke in 2019 that significantly impacted his speech, Polish voice actor Jacek Rozenek underwent extensive rehabilitation. Despite his remarkable recovery, subtle changes in his vocal qualities were apparent. To preserve his integral connection to the character and ensure a consistent auditory experience for players, the development team has opted to leverage artificial intelligence. This technology will meticulously adapt Rozenek’s current voice to seamlessly align with his previous recordings, creating a faithful replication of Geralt’s original vocal essence.
For fans of the original Polish version of The Witcher series, Jacek Rozenek's portrayal of Geralt of Rivia is as iconic as Doug Cockle's in the English localization. Rozenek has been the definitive voice of Geralt since the inaugural Witcher game in 2007, a testament to his three decades of voice acting expertise. CD Projekt Red’s commitment to their long-term collaborator faced a significant challenge when Rozenek suffered a debilitating stroke in 2019, rendering him unable to speak for an extended period. His arduous journey of recovery allowed him to regain his voice, albeit with a noticeably deeper and gruffer tone, as noted by journalist Stephen Totilo after an interview. While this altered vocal quality might suit a more aged Geralt in a potential Witcher 4, it posed a continuity issue for “Songs of the Past,” which is set concurrently with The Witcher 3’s main narrative. The close proximity of newly recorded lines with existing ones necessitated a solution to bridge this vocal discrepancy, leading CDPR to partner with Respeecher, an AI voice cloning specialist.
Respeecher’s role involves analyzing over 10,000 voice lines previously recorded for The Witcher 3’s core game. It is crucial to emphasize that Rozenek himself will record all dialogue for the upcoming DLC. The AI technology will then serve as a tool to subtly modify these new recordings, ensuring they perfectly match the vocal characteristics of his original performance. Rozenek has expressed immense confidence in his ability to continue embodying Geralt and views this technological assistance positively, stating his belief that the voice matching will be highly effective. In an industry where the integration of AI can often be met with skepticism, this particular application stands out as a potential example where fans might wholeheartedly endorse the developers' decision. Instead of resorting to recasting the role or dramatically altering Geralt's voice, CDPR has discovered a harmonious resolution that benefits both the production and the respected voice actor. Mikołaj Szwed, a localization producer at CDPR, champions this approach as an ethical and consensual use of AI, employed for a beneficial outcome.
This innovative solution underscores CD Projekt Red’s dedication to its roots and its earliest supporters in Poland. From its beginnings as a modest Polish studio to its current status as a global leader in game development, the company has consistently valued its foundational relationships. Through Rozenek's unwavering commitment to his rehabilitation and the judicious application of AI, Geralt’s voice in the forthcoming expansion is poised to echo the very essence of his portrayal from nearly two decades ago, offering fans an authentic and familiar auditory experience.
