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No need for Troy Baker, Laura Bailey, Liam O'Brien, etc... etc.. (The "typical" VAs)
- Thread starter Vex_
- Start date
Troy, Laura, and Nolan are incredibly talented and have great range so it's not that immersion breaking to hear them. They do their jobs very well. I actually like that the industry is using them so often, because they're... well, extremely talented. Enough with the bad VAs please.
YES.
YES.
Clint Beastwood
Banned
It would be nice if people took the Rockstar approach and hired unknowns who go on to do great work, but since that's never going to happen I'm fine with the regulars, I just wish they would use them better.
Goose_Se7en
Banned
Yup. I was surprised as hell when I found out he voiced the creepy cannibal dude from TlOu.
Hangar 13 did a terrific job with the voice casting for Mafia 3.
I like the typical voice actors that get most of the jobs in gaming, but getting lesser-known actors to do great work brings much needed diversity.
-shadow-
Member
While I think most of the voice actors are great and have a lot of range, some have reached the point where most of that range has already been used in one way or another and I'm getting a bit bummed by hearing the same people over and over again. Especially Troy Baker is one I can't stand anymore. The guy is absolutely amazing, but I'd really appreciate it if I started hearing him less.
Same here. Hell, the only reason I even got Tales from the Borderlands is because I found out Troy Baker and Laura Bailey were the main characters. Glad the game turned out to be awesome (because of Troy and Laura).
And it really isn't a matter of them being in everything. They just happen to be in the games that you're (topic creator) interested in.
Mihos
Gold Member
If you would have said Australian... I would have had your back.
Put Laura Bailey in everything. I like that girl.
Clint Beastwood
Banned
I haven't had the chance to play Mafia 3 but it's good to know. The "unknown" castings are way more memorable IMO, maybe because I know it's unique and those people are probably never going to do a VO again.
lol
this made me realize I'm probably one of the few people that actually use english voices in Street Fighter. Every time I watch a stream its always with japanese voices
goldenpp72
Member
It's tiring seeing people get 'sick' of VA's when they likely don't even recognize them in a ton of roles. Good VA's have a good range and SHOULD be employed for being talented, we shouldn't begrudge them for being good at their jobs.
SatelliteOfLove
Member
The thing about North is, is that he has massive range.
You know this as when he does that range, no one knows until told.
Astral Dog
Member
Troy should be in everything ❤
ColonialHawk
Member
VAs have to go through auditions just like regular actors, don't they? Also theres a reason the top VAs get a lot of work: they are really good at what they do.
John Kowalski
Banned
Well, uh, yeah, the more voice actors having jobs the better.
I feel like this is a vocal minority.
NinjaCoachZ
Member
I'm not sure how Matthew Mercer isn't one of "the typical VAs". He's no less overused than any of those other VAs.
EDIT: Like every actor in the P5 cast is already in dozens of non-union games and anime dubs. It's not really the freshest around.
EDIT: Like every actor in the P5 cast is already in dozens of non-union games and anime dubs. It's not really the freshest around.
You mention FFXV and P5 as examples. But most eng dub's of Japanese games and Anime re-use the same small pool of people over and over again. When they don't it's more then likely a really bad dub/performance from someone who just sounds like they're reading, not voice acting.
At least with western game VA's, they attempt at actually doing a different voice. With the eng dub it's 99% the exact same voice just in a different game portraying a different character.
At least with western game VA's, they attempt at actually doing a different voice. With the eng dub it's 99% the exact same voice just in a different game portraying a different character.
I was replaying Snatcher recently and was actually thinking about how some games with really damn good VA seem to have actors who are completely unheard of or almost never have a major presence.
I kind of wish there was a bit more risk taking with VAs in leading roles every once in a while. I can kind of understand someone like Nolan North getting a lot of roles because his range is incredible. I don't feel the same about say, Troy Baker though. I love his voice and have loved it ever since Persona 4, but whenever he or Laura Bailey are voicing a character I can almost instantly tell that it's them - even if they're really good at actually delivering their voices.
I kind of wish there was a bit more risk taking with VAs in leading roles every once in a while. I can kind of understand someone like Nolan North getting a lot of roles because his range is incredible. I don't feel the same about say, Troy Baker though. I love his voice and have loved it ever since Persona 4, but whenever he or Laura Bailey are voicing a character I can almost instantly tell that it's them - even if they're really good at actually delivering their voices.
dave is ok
aztek is ok
If the VA union does go on strike, I'm sure you'll hear many new voices.
WrenchNinja
Member
Bailey's range is her trunks/shinchan voice and her regular voice with shitty accents.
LordKasual
Banned
I can't remember the first time Troy or Laura ever gave a bad performance. I will always adore Laura for carrying the voice acting in Star Ocean 4* (as best anyone could) and Platinum the Trinity in Blazblue.
Yeah, they get used alot, but i dont see why fans take to bashing them when cast. What really is your basis for doing that outside you wanting them to cast someone else?
Yeah, they get used alot, but i dont see why fans take to bashing them when cast. What really is your basis for doing that outside you wanting them to cast someone else?
LordOfLore
Banned
Isn't there supposed to be a VA strike this week?
JonnyDBrit
Member
Varies.
Using established voice actors has a pretty obvious benefit to it - they have known talent and experience which can enhance a role that really needs to be nailed correctly. Destiny proved this point immensely, given they went from one of the hottest names in television to the hottest name in voice acting, because the latter provided the quality assurance on the performance that was necessary after the backlash to the former.
On the other hand, finding a relatively unique voice actor can itself lend to the distinctiveness of a character and performance. Since RDR2 just got announced, let's go with the obvious here: John Marston is often remarked upon as one of the better (if not best) performances in video gaming. Yet he was played by Rob Wiethoff, a man with minimal experience for the medium, and with not much more in acting in general. Similarly, Geralt of Rivia is played by Doug Cockle, and while he wasn't so great when first in the role, and many still find his performance from The Witcher 3 questionable, its hard to argue that he is Geralt as far as the english speaking world is concerned.These are characters made in part by the distinctiveness of those playing them.
Using established voice actors has a pretty obvious benefit to it - they have known talent and experience which can enhance a role that really needs to be nailed correctly. Destiny proved this point immensely, given they went from one of the hottest names in television to the hottest name in voice acting, because the latter provided the quality assurance on the performance that was necessary after the backlash to the former.
On the other hand, finding a relatively unique voice actor can itself lend to the distinctiveness of a character and performance. Since RDR2 just got announced, let's go with the obvious here: John Marston is often remarked upon as one of the better (if not best) performances in video gaming. Yet he was played by Rob Wiethoff, a man with minimal experience for the medium, and with not much more in acting in general. Similarly, Geralt of Rivia is played by Doug Cockle, and while he wasn't so great when first in the role, and many still find his performance from The Witcher 3 questionable, its hard to argue that he is Geralt as far as the english speaking world is concerned.These are characters made in part by the distinctiveness of those playing them.
ElBoxyBrown
Banned
Nolan North rarely does dubs for Japanese games so you won't have to worry about him being in P5.
More_Badass
Member
Both are important. The experienced veterans with huge range and the talented newcomers.
I'm really hoping Rockstar was able to get Wiethoff back for RDR2 if it features John
I'm really hoping Rockstar was able to get Wiethoff back for RDR2 if it features John
NinjaCoachZ
Member
Laura wasn't in Star Ocean 5. Were you thinking of Eden Riegel?
KoroEunectes
Member
inorganicrosiel
Neo Member
I definitely am sick of hearing Laura Bailey's voice in games. After hearing her as Serah, Reimi, Cheria, and Rise- all with pretty much the same voice- it was just too much. I'm sure there are are other games released around the same time period she was in I forgot about too, all very immediately recognizable as Bailey.
But, I read a topic a while ago detailing all the roles of famous voice actors, including Bailey, and I was shocked how versatile she really is. She's done so many different kinds of characters and voices, it's actually astonishing. It seems like the voice directors are just looking for a "typical voice" for their high profile projects, and we end up hearing the same voice over and over, regardless of the actor's talent.
Translation and localization is better now than it has ever been, and I'd like publishers bringing over Japanese games to take more chances by making the script as natural as possible for an American audience, even if it means upsetting gamers who want their translations to be as accurate as possible. As long as it doesn't end up as something awkward like the modern Dragon Quest pun-filled ones, I'd be happy, and more natural voice acting, with more range allowed, would go a long way to making that happen.
But, I read a topic a while ago detailing all the roles of famous voice actors, including Bailey, and I was shocked how versatile she really is. She's done so many different kinds of characters and voices, it's actually astonishing. It seems like the voice directors are just looking for a "typical voice" for their high profile projects, and we end up hearing the same voice over and over, regardless of the actor's talent.
Translation and localization is better now than it has ever been, and I'd like publishers bringing over Japanese games to take more chances by making the script as natural as possible for an American audience, even if it means upsetting gamers who want their translations to be as accurate as possible. As long as it doesn't end up as something awkward like the modern Dragon Quest pun-filled ones, I'd be happy, and more natural voice acting, with more range allowed, would go a long way to making that happen.
I'll have you know I have plenty of need for Laura Baily, thank you.
New blood is good, but old blood should stick around as well. I like hearing familiar voices I recognize in new games I play. Just like screen actors, it's not immersion braking to hear the guy who played the cop in one game, play the bad guy in another one. Actors gonna act.
New blood is good, but old blood should stick around as well. I like hearing familiar voices I recognize in new games I play. Just like screen actors, it's not immersion braking to hear the guy who played the cop in one game, play the bad guy in another one. Actors gonna act.
privitsan02
Member
It's not Nolan North or Troy Bakers fault that they are asked to do their stereotypical voices for certain roles. We know how both of them can have a lot of range. Also the Persona 5 VA are typical VAs. OP, its good that the VA pool is growing but depriving talented people from opportunities is wrong, especially when they have the range.
Best wishes.
Best wishes.
Dusktildawn48
Member
I wish troy baker was in every game.
Yea, you can get the same actors and they can be completely awesome or shitty depending on the game and that's all on the voice director and script.
LordKasual
Banned
Oh no, i'm thinking of Star Ocean 4 actually, sorry. (Reimi)
Megalosaro
Banned
I agree. Those, VAs are definitely talented, but it gets tiresome.
The industry has a bad habit of latching into people. See what happened to troy baker after the last of us. The pool needs to be wider.
Anime dubs have the same problem. My theory? Dubbing agencies promote this ecosystem. Less competition. For jobs that don't really pay that well in that well in the first place. If you're a va that can cultivate a decent following, you make more from con appearances than game dubs. They just take those projects to stay relevant
The industry has a bad habit of latching into people. See what happened to troy baker after the last of us. The pool needs to be wider.
Anime dubs have the same problem. My theory? Dubbing agencies promote this ecosystem. Less competition. For jobs that don't really pay that well in that well in the first place. If you're a va that can cultivate a decent following, you make more from con appearances than game dubs. They just take those projects to stay relevant
ElBoxyBrown
Banned
She also does her regular voice without the accent.
What?! You need your ears checked pal.
Uncharted, Shadow Complex, Spec Ops: The Line, Saints Row, Prince Of Persia, Assassin's Creed, Singularity, Alpha Protocol, Deadpool. The list goes on and on.
He has his standout performances (which sometimes are altered with software) but a lot of the time he just plays Nolan North, and it almost always makes a game worse.