Since its release in 2018, Red Dead Redemption 2 has been a cultural phenomenon, largely due to its protagonist, Arthur Morgan, portrayed by actor Roger Clark. In an interview, Roger Clark, expressed his discontent with the gaming industry’s pervasive secrecy.
From the outset, he wasn’t told much about his role during the audition, only that he needed to perform in cowboy boots. The scripts were often given just minutes before filming, which made it challenging for actors to deliver their best performances.
Roger Clark’s Experience With The Video Game Industry
Clark’s experience with Rockstar, however, wasn’t entirely negative. Despite the tight non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and minimal initial information, he appreciated that Rockstar always tried to answer his questions. This allowed him to understand his character deeply. However, in his interview with The Gamer, he says:
Personally, I knew what we were doing. But when I hear of other studios not disclosing major components to their performers, it makes me sad. I think it demonstrates a lack of trust, and if you don’t trust each other, you’re not going to come up with your best work.
He points out that other studios’ practices of withholding crucial story elements from actors reflect a lack of trust, which ultimately affects the quality of the performances and the final product.
The broader issue in the industry is not unique to Clark’s experience with Red Dead Redemption 2. According to Vice, Keythe Farley, who voiced Kellogg in Fallout 4, worked for over a year without knowing which game he was part of.
This secrecy is designed to prevent leaks and maintain control over game reveals, but it places actors at a disadvantage. They sign NDAs, yet are often left without the context necessary to fully embody their characters, leading to performances that might lack depth and coherence.
Actors often face significant challenges due to this secrecy. For example, a comment on this topic in a Reddit post alleged that during a live stream of Life is Strange, voice actors displayed a surprising lack of understanding of the plot despite playing major characters.
How This Trend Has Created a Disconnect Within The Industry
This disconnect can be attributed to the limited information provided to them during the recording process. Without knowing the full narrative, actors struggle to deliver performances that resonate with the intended storyline, thus impacting the overall quality of the game.
The problem is compounded by the intense physical and vocal demands placed on actors without adequate context or preparation. Voice actors endure strenuous recording sessions, and without knowing the broader narrative, they can’t bring the necessary nuance to their roles. This secrecy also makes it hard for actors to decide whether they want to participate in a project, especially if the game’s content might conflict with their personal values or professional goals.
Inconsistencies in voice acting quality across games highlight the importance of context and direction. In games like Detroit: Become Human, where voice acting is praised for its lifelike quality, actors are often given full scripts and detailed direction.
In contrast, games with highly secretive development processes, such as Destiny, can suffer from stilted dialogue and disjointed performances. Proper direction and sufficient information are crucial for achieving high-quality voice acting.
Clark’s comments reflect a broader sentiment within the voice-acting community about the need for better communication and trust. He acknowledges the necessity of some secrecy but believes a balance must be struck. Providing actors with enough information to understand their roles without compromising the security of the project is essential. Trusting actors with more details would likely lead to richer, more authentic performances, benefiting both the actors and the final product.
