SteveW Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,67658,00.html It looks like we won't be getting very many voice overs in games for a while. So the big question is: will anyone miss them? Voice acting in games usually isn't all that good, and can sometimes be downright distracting. The voices don't match the characters very well, the tone of their voices don't seem to fit the situations the characters are in, and sometimes the voice actors couldn't act their way out of a paper bag. So..... will you avoid buying a game, just because there's no talking in it? Or will it not be an issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liveinabin Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 Voice acting is rarely done well but when it is it really makes the experience so much more immersive. Only two I can really think of are 'Eternal Darkness' and' Knights of the Old Republic'- which both, oddly enough, feature the voice talent of a Miss Jennifer Hale - give that woman a raise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emehr Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 I mostly find it annoying ("It's a-me...Mario!!"). The Prince in Sands of Time was good. The voices in TIE Fighter (Mac/PC) were also good. On that note, I can't think of any games where voice acting is completely necessary. Nope, won't miss 'em. They'll just have to go back to using the programmers as voice actors. It's not like there'll be a dramatic change in quality . - Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maibock Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 I'm more surprised technology doesn't allow perfect, computer generated, human voices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeybastard Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 I love when the voice acting is terrible. I think that makes the games much more fun. My fav of all time is House of the Dead 2 on the DC. The voices are absolutely terrible and that makes the game hilarious besides fun to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dones Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 Sounds like the Screen Actor's Guild is looking for more money. I wonder if Nintendo got included in their authorized strike list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydian Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 The voice talents in Everquest 2 are really good overall. I can't think of any voices that are poorly done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emehr Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 Here's one for the great game/horrible acting archives: Castlevania - Symphony of the Night. "Die monster! You do not belong in this world!" says Richter in a tin can. and "What is a man?" Dracula says as he dramatically tosses his glass to the ground. These performances actually turned me completely off to the game initially. I didn't rediscover its true greatness until about 2 years after. - Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christianscott27 Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 having big name actors do voice work is way overrated, has it ever influenced you in purchasing a game, i know it means nothing to me. i sort of enjoyed david duchovny in XIII but did i care that rapper eve was also in the game, hell i didnt even know til it was over and i saw the credits. the red head from the 70s show voices a marine in halo2, who knew and how did it help the game? there are so many struggling actors out there you could just save the production money and hire a good no name. my cousin's husband did a lot of voice work for documentries and books on tape, if he was still alive today i bet he'd be great for video games. did anybody hear the conditions they're fighting for, i thought it was funny that they're demanding sanitized microphones and headsets, yeah nobody wants to touch a mic after ice-T has been on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 Ray Liotta in Vice City was outstanding IMO. Just about every other game I can think of has terrible voice acting and I wouldn't have a problem with it being left out. The story line in most modern games is bloated and boring anyway. -S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveW Posted May 31, 2005 Author Share Posted May 31, 2005 That's one game that I enjoyed the voice acting on, Halo 2. I recognised a lot of the voices, like the redhead from That 70's Show, and comedian David Cross. I have to admit, that game's got good voice acting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legeek Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 Voice acting is rarely done well but when it is it really makes the experience so much more immersive. Only two I can really think of are 'Eternal Darkness' and' Knights of the Old Republic'- which both, oddly enough, feature the voice talent of a Miss Jennifer Hale - give that woman a raise. 864670[/snapback] Don't forget Beyond Good and Evil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liveinabin Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Oh heck yes, good point. B,G + E had wonderful voice acting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjarabbit Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Sorry but I can't feel sorry for people who make $275 per hour, especially given when the vast majority of voicework is medicore at best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atarifever Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 I know most people didn't like it nearly as much as I did, but Star Wars: Bounty Hunter had awesome voice acting. It was bang on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhindle The Red Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 I know most people didn't like it nearly as much as I did, but Star Wars: Bounty Hunter had awesome voice acting. It was bang on. It was excellent, for the most part, since they actually got Temuera Morrison (Jango) and Leeanna Walsman (Zam) to do their characters and they get the bulk of the dialogue. Roz was irritating (hard to believe she's the voice of Princess Daphne from Dragon's Lair). The rest of the cast was pretty good, though. And, it must be said, the cut scenes were pretty well written, so that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Helmet Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 The original Resident Evil had frcken AWFUL voice acting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
128bytes Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Well, they can always bring the "Prepare to Qualify" lady from Pole Position out of retirement! For a male voice, they can hire Paul Slocum to bring the Berzerk VE voice to life in Halo 3. Intruder Alert, Intruder Alert! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacbthPSW Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 I enjoyed the voice acting in both the Max Payne games. Also, most of the Star Trek games have been great (if you like that sort of thing). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmont Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 That redonkulous Scottish accent in Warcraft II is easily one of the funniest things I've ever heard: "I lahk blowin' thengs op!" Absolutely priceless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATARIeric Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 we need more female voices like you hear in pole position I still cant make out what they hell she is saying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sega saturn x Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 All this means is they will hire free lancers so the voice work will get worse. And as a side not kotor has the best voice work ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawgWyld Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 All this means is they will hire free lancers so the voice work will get worse.865708[/snapback] Worse than it already is? Lord have mercy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JagMX Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Maybe they can get Henry Rollins to do some more voice acting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emehr Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 That redonkulous Scottish accent in Warcraft II is easily one of the funniest things I've ever heard: "I lahk blowin' thengs op!" Absolutely priceless. 865604[/snapback] How could I forget Warcraft II? Fantastic voicework. The narrator before each scenario was a bit over the top but the units' voices were so good and memorable. Those developers (Blizzard) used sound effects and voice to great effect...really added to the atmosphere. "They're destroying our city!!" - Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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