Troy Baker is one of the best-known voices in the world of video games, with credits ranging from Batman’s Joker to Joel in The Last of Us, plus many more. Alongside leading work in long-running franchises such as Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, Baker has also lent his voice to fresh indie efforts—most notably as cigar-chomping Jack Pepper in the playful, black-and-white, Disney-inspired shooter Mouse P.I. for Hire.
That said, the gaming industry is shifting. The growing use of AI could threaten nearly every stage of game creation, from early brainstorming through to how voices and performances are carried out. In recent years, multiple studios have adopted this controversial tool to generate both artwork and vocal output for their games. One example is Arc Raiders studio Embark, which faced backlash for relying on AI-generated voice lines instead of hiring human actors—an approach Embark later reconsidered. In 2023, it again drew criticism when it used AI for commentator voiceovers in its team-based shooter The Finals. This is also the kind of pathway that helped Horizon Zero Dawn actress Ashly Burch break into the industry, and Baker has said he worries others might not get the same chances if AI keeps taking over voice roles.
Even with those lingering concerns, Baker doesn’t believe the technology will completely wipe out an actor’s job—or any role where human originality is essential. “[Claiming] ‘authentic art’ is akin to saying ‘a flying aeroplane,’” Baker told Eurogamer in a recent conversation. “It’s rather pointless because art, at its core, is authentic. Art is a human act, so I don’t worry about ‘AI art.’ That isn’t what it’s for. It doesn’t produce anything.” Baker has also argued that demonizing AI would be a mistake, since the technology may push people toward “authentic” experiences instead of “the gruel that gets distilled … through a black mirror.” Still, he acknowledged that we have to live with AI, regardless of whether we like it.
In his discussion with Eurogamer, Baker explained that if his interests were tied to selling products or producing “content,” he could understand the anxiety, but that isn’t where he’s focused. “I believe in [games and acting] as an art form,” he said. “I see it as a vehicle for delivering extraordinary interactive narratives and compelling stories. That’s why my attention stays there, and I’m not discouraged. I’ll keep making art.”
Further explaining his stance, Baker said he doesn’t need to worry about AI “stepping in and doing my role,” because “what I do, is uniquely mine,” even while he admitted it could be copied. “There’s nothing I can do about that,” he added. “If I wanted to spend my time focused on legislation around it, maybe I could, but that would pull me away from what I really want—making art. That’s my only focus.”
Baker also weighed in on the recent SAG-AFTRA strike, which wrapped up last year, pointing out that discussions centered on AI use and how to protect performers. “I think this is a very delicate moment in the industry, where we get to decide how we’ll work, how we’ll keep building this medium, and how we’ll continue to deliver captivating stories and build high-quality experiences for players,” he said to Eurogamer when asked about where things stand after the strike. “We have a range of tools we can use for that. I don’t believe creativity comes from fear. The moment we fixate on the most negative parts of this industry, we’re steering attention away from its best elements.” He added that while he tries “to stay up to date on industry developments,” and “checks in with friends whenever there’s been downsizing to make sure they’re okay,” Baker still chooses to “keep my eyes ahead.”
Looking ahead, the actor is set to appear in Naughty Dog’s next title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Baker also said he wants to create his own video game, sharing with Eurogamer that he has now “begun conversations” about the story he wants to tell and the people he’d like to work with.
Before that, though, Baker’s take on whip-cracking Indy is already available on Nintendo consoles, following last week’s release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Switch 2. Eurogamer contributor Fran Ruiz recently discussed his thoughts on the Switch 2 version of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and he was impressed.
“Alongside Cyberpunk 2077, Star Wars Outlaws, and Resident Evil Requiem, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle stands out to me as one of the better third-party efforts I’ve seen on Switch 2,” he said. “It also shows that Nintendo’s current-gen hardware can surpass expectations—and even improve the somewhat inconsistent handheld PC performance of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle—thanks to DLSS support and fresh optimization work.”