Cyberpunk 2077’s recently released DLC Phantom Liberty uses an AI-edited voice to emulate the performance of a deceased actor, the studio has confirmed. The actor in question is Miłogost “Miłek” Reczek, who provided the Polish-language voice of doctor Viktor Vektor in a localized version of the original game. He passed away in 2021 before reprising his role for the DLC. 

News that AI would be used to approximate Reczek’s performance first emerged around a month ago prior to the release of Phantom Liberty. But it gained widespread attention this month after developer CD Projekt Red issued a statement explaining its decision. Localization director Mikołaj Szwed says that the company considered re-recording the entire role (both the original game and DLC) with a replacement actor, but decided against it to avoid losing Reczek’s performance. 

Instead, the developer turned to voice cloning technology provided by Kyiv-based startup Respeecher. “We contacted his family for permission to create an algorithm from Miłek’s voice that could then be used over the performance of another actor, who would record Viktor Vektor’s new voice lines,” Szwed says, adding that the new lines were performed by Janusz Zadura “who tried to emulate Miłek’s style of speaking.”

“Miłek’s sons were very supportive and gave us their permission to move forward with the project,” Szwed says.