Why no Text-to-Speech Engine for all the Text?

[Balmung]

I ask me since many Weeks why the Devs didn't use a Text to Speech Engine.

A Game like this, that generate Missions by itself is not so good for normal Voice Recording and it is not easy to add new Text in 3 Languages with Voice Acting, the Voice Actors must be always there to record new Stuff with no real Ending. And because of that we have only some Computer Voices, the rest of the Game is Text only.

Text to Speech Engines are today really really good and in ED the most Text is Computer Text, so even when it sounds a little bit "Robotic" it matches good in that Game.

Pro
- you can hear every Text, the Game feels much more alive
- you didn't must read Text when you are focused at Gameplay Action
- you can easily add any new Text with near zero work for the Voice (only a Test if it sounds ok)

Con
- ?

I don't know how expensive it is to create a Voice for a Text to Speech Engine and how expensive such a Engine itself is. But different Actors for different Voices and Languages, that create new Samples any time over Years when it is needed, can't be really cheaper. It sounds for me much more expensive than to use some Text to Speech Voices in different Languages.

So I ask me if that could not be a Solution for ED? I think Text to Speed generated Voice match good with procedural generated Content.

 

[Fiach]

Agreed. I play Oolite with text to speech running, it's really handy. It's too easy to miss pure text when a lot is going on.

 

[Balmung]

Yes, you often can't read Text in some Scenes. GTA Players that need Subs to understand what the Characters say in the Game know that Problem very well (try to read subs when you Driver a Car). I add this Point to the Pro List.