Comments on: Name and Shame? http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/ Random babblings from a few digitally inclined people Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:07:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Head881 http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/#comment-1092 Mon, 01 Aug 2005 05:08:51 +0000 http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/#comment-1092 Would knowing who the voice talent is affect your purchase of the game? I'm not buying Final Fantasy X because the girl who plays Bubbles plays Rikku. I'm buying Final Fantasy X because it is the latest in one of my favorite Japanese RPG series, and if it went by another name, probably because it was developed by Squaresoft. I just don't think that the voice acting talent is such an important part of a game to be the reason to buy, or not to buy a game. Would knowing who the voice talent is affect your purchase of the game? I’m not buying Final Fantasy X because the girl who plays Bubbles plays Rikku. I’m buying Final Fantasy X because it is the latest in one of my favorite Japanese RPG series, and if it went by another name, probably because it was developed by Squaresoft.

I just don’t think that the voice acting talent is such an important part of a game to be the reason to buy, or not to buy a game.

]]> by: CookieJesus http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/#comment-1067 Thu, 28 Jul 2005 08:17:54 +0000 http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/#comment-1067 It's all a matter of social perception. It's still better to take a girl to a movie than to invite her to a couple rounds of MK. It’s all a matter of social perception. It’s still better to take a girl to a movie than to invite her to a couple rounds of MK.

]]> by: Vermouth http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/#comment-1065 Thu, 28 Jul 2005 01:29:47 +0000 http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/#comment-1065 With a game I really tend to find things are best when we stick to professional voice actors, or people who that's where they've had a lot of experience. Sure movie stars are nice, but other than Vin Diesel's really awesome performance in Chronicles of Riddick, most of the time they're mailing it in and giving a substandard job because it's just a smallish paycheck. Whereas a paycheck by a middling level actor like Michael Ironsides or Ray Liotta or something like the voice cast of KOTOR tends to be pretty awesome because everyone is doing a workman's job because none of them are going to get jobs on their name recgonition. With a game I really tend to find things are best when we stick to professional voice actors, or people who that’s where they’ve had a lot of experience. Sure movie stars are nice, but other than Vin Diesel’s really awesome performance in Chronicles of Riddick, most of the time they’re mailing it in and giving a substandard job because it’s just a smallish paycheck. Whereas a paycheck by a middling level actor like Michael Ironsides or Ray Liotta or something like the voice cast of KOTOR tends to be pretty awesome because everyone is doing a workman’s job because none of them are going to get jobs on their name recgonition.

]]> by: Kelmon http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/#comment-1060 Wed, 27 Jul 2005 06:36:27 +0000 http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/#comment-1060 Hmm, not sure you can necessarily directly compare a movie to a game when it comes to acting. Within a film the plot (should) be the #1 component and as such the actors presence within the film is typically key. In contrast, in a game, I really don't think that voice acting represents that large a component of the game (a few cut scenes or messages in-game, but with the exception of RPGs, there typically isn't that much talking since the game itself should be key). There are, of course, exceptions to this and, particularly in the case of Metal Gear Solid 2, some of these illustrate why voice acting shouldn't get that much focus. I know that actors get a top-billing when it comes to animated feature films, but I can't really compare them to games since, again, their role is more important in a film. Overall, I can't help feeling that I don't care whether or not a game includes Hollywood voice talent. I was a bit excited when Privateer 2 had the likes of John Hurt, Christopher Walken and Clive Owen, but the "acted" video scenes no longer seem to be present in games so when its just someone's voice, I have a hard time even noting that I might recognise it. In this respect I tend to side with Holliday on this one. Employing famous actors is not necessary, does not really add that much to a game, and overall represents a waste of money that could better be spent on other areas of the development. I am, for example, unlikely to ever buy a game because Alan Rickman (typically my favourite actor, although a little unsuited for games) contributed his voice to it since I'm more interested to know what sort of game it is and, critically, is it any fun to play. In terms of shame, I expect that the actors rather view games in much the same way as commercial voice-overs. Everyone does it to make a bit of cash but no one would say that it represents "real" acting. In this respect I'm in agreement. Hmm, not sure you can necessarily directly compare a movie to a game when it comes to acting. Within a film the plot (should) be the #1 component and as such the actors presence within the film is typically key. In contrast, in a game, I really don’t think that voice acting represents that large a component of the game (a few cut scenes or messages in-game, but with the exception of RPGs, there typically isn’t that much talking since the game itself should be key). There are, of course, exceptions to this and, particularly in the case of Metal Gear Solid 2, some of these illustrate why voice acting shouldn’t get that much focus. I know that actors get a top-billing when it comes to animated feature films, but I can’t really compare them to games since, again, their role is more important in a film.

Overall, I can’t help feeling that I don’t care whether or not a game includes Hollywood voice talent. I was a bit excited when Privateer 2 had the likes of John Hurt, Christopher Walken and Clive Owen, but the “acted” video scenes no longer seem to be present in games so when its just someone’s voice, I have a hard time even noting that I might recognise it. In this respect I tend to side with Holliday on this one. Employing famous actors is not necessary, does not really add that much to a game, and overall represents a waste of money that could better be spent on other areas of the development. I am, for example, unlikely to ever buy a game because Alan Rickman (typically my favourite actor, although a little unsuited for games) contributed his voice to it since I’m more interested to know what sort of game it is and, critically, is it any fun to play.

In terms of shame, I expect that the actors rather view games in much the same way as commercial voice-overs. Everyone does it to make a bit of cash but no one would say that it represents “real” acting. In this respect I’m in agreement.

]]> by: Thornhillboy http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/#comment-1059 Tue, 26 Jul 2005 23:39:56 +0000 http://www.aelon.net/2005/07/name-and-shame/#comment-1059 Im glad that games dont advertise who the voice actor/actress is. In this way it shows that a game should be judged on its merits, as in how good the actual game is. As Holliday said, the voice acting rarely breaks a game. It just adds to it. Im glad that games dont advertise who the voice actor/actress is. In this way it shows that a game should be judged on its merits, as in how good the actual game is. As Holliday said, the voice acting rarely breaks a game. It just adds to it.

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