Charlie Cox on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – The Shortest Voice Acting Gig Ever?
Did you know that Charlie Cox, the actor who brought Daredevil to life, spent a mere four hours in the studio recording his voice for the upcoming game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? While the gaming community eagerly anticipates the game, the speed with which Cox completed his work sparks a fascinating question: is this a sign of things to come for voice acting in the gaming industry, or is it a delightful anomaly?
The Speed of Voice Acting in Expedition 33
As detailed in a recent interview, Cox’s minimal time in the recording booth is striking. He voices the character Gustave, who apparently makes a significant impact despite his limited screen time. Compare this with the hundreds of hours many voice actors pour into sprawling RPGs like Kingdom Come: Deliverance; the disparity is remarkable.
The clip below shows Charlie Cox at Washington State Summer Con where he mentions his role in Expedition 33.
Charlie Cox talks Clair Obscur Expedition 33! @expedition33(Shy Charlie also makes an appearance🥹) #CharlieCox #Gustave #Expedition33 #ClairObscur #ClairObscurExpedition33 pic.twitter.com/GSdCrvvV0D
— 🦋 (@thespideyverse_) June 22, 2024
Implications for the Voice Acting Industry
This situation highlights a possible shift in how developers approach voice acting. The focus is shifting to shorter, more impactful roles as gaming continues to increase in popularity and the financial stakes of these games grow. We could potentially see more actors involved in gaming projects but perhaps in smaller roles. This can allow them to work on several projects without having to commit to hundreds of hours of studio time. Cox’s experience could be a bellwether for future trends.
The Rise of Performance Capture and AI in Voice Acting
While the four-hour gig is unusual, it’s also important to consider other factors. Performance capture, where actors’ physical movements are translated to in-game characters, is becoming increasingly common. This could be the direction that game developers are moving in, possibly leading to more complex voice acting projects that rely less on extensive studio time. Additionally, the integration of AI in voice generation and post-production has created new opportunities and possibilities, possibly streamlining the workflow.
The Future of Games Voice Acting
The success of Expedition 33, and Cox’s specific participation in it, opens the door for more exciting, if somewhat unpredictable, developments in the world of voice acting for video games. It suggests a more flexible landscape for performers, new ways of integrating technology and creative possibilities. The audience is the winner in this scenario, but it may come at the cost of longer studio hours and more strenuous work.
What do you think? Will we see more Hollywood actors taking on small, impactful roles in games? Share your predictions in the comments below!
