Riot Games Responds to Criticism Over League of Legends Video Announcement
Riot Games has addressed the criticism it received over the alleged use of AI in a League of Legends video announcement. The company stated that the voice-over issues were not caused by AI, but rather due to a lack of proper direction given to the human voice actor. Riot Games referred to a post on the League of Legends Wild Rift Twitter account, where they acknowledged their mistake and promised to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Controversy
The controversy began when the League of Legends Wild Rift account released a video announcement featuring the character Sivir, who was mispronounced as “severe” by the voiceover. Many fans expressed their disappointment, suggesting that Riot Games could have hired more talented voices from within their own community for the voiceover.
League of Legends and FTX Partnership
League of Legends is a popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game launched in 2009. In August 2021, FTX signed a $100 million sponsorship deal with Riot Games to support the League of Legends Esports series for seven years. This partnership has made League of Legends an important game for FTX, especially since it was a favorite of Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX’s former CEO.
AI in Gaming
The use of generative AI in games has faced resistance from gamers, similar to the initial skepticism towards NFTs. However, game developers such as Ubisoft, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Square Enix, Roblox, and NCSoft have started embracing AI technology in their games. For example, Activision announced its plan to leverage AI to monitor chat and combat toxic behavior in Call of Duty games earlier this year.
Hot Take: Embracing AI in Gaming Raises Concerns and Opportunities
The controversy surrounding the League of Legends video announcement highlights the challenges that arise when integrating AI into gaming. While there are concerns about maintaining the authenticity and engagement of human voices, AI technology presents opportunities for enhancing gameplay experiences and addressing issues like toxic behavior. Game developers will need to strike a balance between leveraging AI advancements and preserving the unique elements that make gaming enjoyable. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how AI shapes the future of gaming.
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