Geralt's voice, Doug Cockle teases potential Witcher return

The beloved voice of Geralt of Rivia, Doug Cockle, has discussed his nearly two-decade journey bringing the character to life in The Witcher video game series and is set to voice the character in an upcoming Netflix animated film titled 'Sirens of the Deep.' Cockle reflects on his role's growth from the series's nascent days to its current global fame. With advancements in AI entering the voice acting space, Cockle has noted concerns about unapproved uses of actors' voices but remains optimistic about potential ethical guidelines and solutions.

What role is AI playing in the video game voice acting industry, and what are the implications?

AI is increasingly being used in the video game industry to replicate voices for various characters, which raises concerns about the unauthorized use of actors' voices without compensation. There's an ongoing debate about the ethical use of AI to ensure that the rights and earnings of voice actors are protected while still benefiting from technological advancements.

As additional background, The Witcher video game series is based on the book series of the same name by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The first game was released in 2007, and since then, the franchise has grown tremendously, both in popularity and in scope, spanning several games including the critically acclaimed 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.' CD Projekt Red, the developer behind the series, is known for their deep storytelling and complex characters, with Geralt of Rivia as the central figure whose voice actor, Doug Cockle, has become synonymous with the character.