Finding the Best Voice Over for Video Games: Tips for Developers

If you’re a game developer looking for the best voice over for your video game, we have some great tips to help you discover the perfect fit. From where to find the best voice actors to how much to budget, our guide will help you create a captivating gaming experience for your players.

In a world where video games are having to become more and more immersive to stand out, hiring the right voice actor can make a huge difference in how players experience your game. 

Whether it’s a first-person shooter or a cosy story-driven game, having voice actors become your characters and bring them to life can elevate the entire gaming experience.

A poorly chosen voice actor can easily break immersion and leave players feeling disconnected from the game. They’ll be more focused on the odd-sounding voice and less on the story or gameplay. On the other hand, a skilled voice actor can enhance your game in ways you may not have even thought of. So how do you find the best voice actor for your game? And how do you start? Let’s dive into some tips and tricks.

Why Voice Over Matters in Video Games

Setting the story for your game is crucial, and voice over plays a significant role in that process. Having well-crafted dialogue voiced by talented actors can transport players to your game’s world and lay out the foundations for the experience you want to create.

Voice acting also adds depth and emotion to characters, making them feel more relatable and human. Some gamers even form strong connections with video game characters, and the right voice acting can play a significant part in that.

The similarity between a lot of these video game characters? Their iconic voices. Can you imagine Mario without his signature Italian accent or Master Chief without his deep, commanding voice? 

The characters form a huge part of the gaming experience, and their voices are vital in creating a sense of familiarity and attachment – which is what will keep players coming back to continue the campaign or explore the game’s world.

The side characters are just as important, too. A skilled voice actor can take even the smallest role and make it memorable. 

Remember Claptrap from Borderlands or Wheatley from Portal? They may not be the main characters, but their voices and personalities played a significant role in making those games unforgettable.

Top Tips for Choosing Your Video Game Voice Over

So, with all this importance of choosing the right voice over for your video game, how do you go about finding the perfect one?

Factors like the game genre, the characters’ personalities, and your budget all play a part in the decision-making process, and it can be tricky to narrow it down. But, as experts in the voice over industry, we have some top tips to help guide you.

Consider the Genre or Type of Game

Different genres or types of games may require different voice acting approaches. For instance, an action-packed shooter may call for more energetic and intense performances, while a story-driven RPG may require actors who can deliver emotional and nuanced performances.

A mismatch between the game’s genre and the voice acting style can be jarring for players and take away from the overall experience.

Your game may even be a combination of several genres, in which case, you may need a diverse range of voice actors to cover the different character types and styles.

Understanding Your Characters

You should have fully fleshed out the characters in your game before choosing the voice actors. The characters’ personalities, backstories, and motivations will all influence the type of voice that best suits them.

For example, a tough, no-nonsense character may need a deep and brooding voice, while a quirky and mischievous character may require something more lively and playful.

Think about their age, gender, and any unique traits they may have. Do they speak with an accent? Are they from a specific region or time period? All these details will help you find the perfect voice for your characters.

Here are some key questions to ask yourself when envisioning your characters’ voices:

• What is their overall personality?
• What are their motivations and goals in the game?
• What is their backstory, and how does it affect their voice?
• How do they interact with other characters in the game?
• Do they have any unique physical or vocal traits?
• Will they go through character development or have different emotional states throughout the game?

Your Project Budget

While you shouldn’t be limited by budget when it comes to creating the best possible game, we know that budget constraints are a reality for many developers and studios. But, just because you may not have an unlimited budget, doesn’t mean you can’t find exceptional voice actors for your game.

There are many talented and experienced voice actors who offer affordable rates. At Matinée Multilingual, we have a wide range of voice actors in multiple languages to suit many budgets.We can also negotiate with the voice talents on your behalf to get you the best rate possible.

Accents & Languages

Whether your game is set in a fictional world or based on real-life locations, accents and languages can play a significant role in adding depth and authenticity to your characters.

Consider if any of your characters should have specific accents or speak a different language from the main one used in the game. Having voice actors fluent in those can make a big difference in the overall immersion of your game.

Also, don’t forget to consider subtitles and translations for non-native speakers. It’s very common to include subtitles at the bottom of the screen for players who may have their audio lowered or off, or for players who prefer to play with subtitles on.

If you plan to launch your game in multiple countries, consider whether you need to localise your game, and how you want to do this (for example, dub, transcript and translate the voice over, or just add translated subtitles).

Read more on this topic: How Are New Languages Created for Video Games?

Work With a Professional Voice Over Agency

Working with a professional voice over agency can be a brilliant way to relieve the stress of finding the perfect voice actors for your game.

A reputable agency will have a wide range of talented voice actors, as well as knowledgeable staff who can help guide you through the process. 

All the technical aspects, like recording, editing, and file delivery, as well as localisation and translation services, can be taken care of, allowing you to focus on other important aspects of your game’s development.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Video Game Voice Actors?

The cost of hiring video game voice actors can vary greatly, depending on the project’s scope and budget. Here are a few factors that can affect the overall cost:

• The number of characters – As mentioned earlier, the more characters you have, the higher the cost will be. But, this can also depend on how much dialogue each character has and if any voice actors are able to do multiple voices.
• The length of the script – As with any type of recording project, a longer script means more time in the studio and potentially higher costs.
• The experience and demand of the voice actor – Well-known or popular voice actors may come with a higher price tag, but they can also bring a level of recognition and credibility to your game.
• Negotiation with the agency or individual actor – Working through an agency can often help you negotiate better rates with their talent.

Our hourly voice over rates are competitive and transparent, and we also offer additional services to elevate your game, such as script proofreading by a second translator, recording in multiple languages, mixing and mastering, and more.

Next Steps: Hiring Your Video Game Voice Actors

Now that you have a better understanding of the importance and process of hiring voice actors for your game, it’s time to take the next steps.

If you’re ready to work with a professional VO agency, get in touch with us today! We’ll discuss your project and provide you with a tailored quote and a list of talented voice actors fit for your game.

And if you’re still unsure about the voice over process, feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. Who knows, you may just have the next best-selling game in the works, and we’d love to be a part of it.

Start your project below!

FAQs

Where Can I Find Video Game Voice Actors? + –

Voice over agencies, talent directories, and social media platforms are great places to start your search for video game voice actors. You can also attend industry events or reach out to other game developers for recommendations.

An agency will be able to do more than just connect you with voice actors; they can also provide services like translation and localisation, recording, editing, and more, which can greatly save you time and resources.

How Do I Write a Video Game Voice Over Script? + –

A script may come naturally whilst creating the storyboard for your game, but if you’re struggling to put it together, consider these tips:

• Include an opening and closing narration to set the scene and wrap up the game, particularly if it’s a story-driven game.
• Write dialogue that reflects the character’s personality, background, and emotions. Avoid generic or cliché lines.
• Keep it concise and easy to read. Use proper formatting for voice direction, pauses, and emphasis.

Think about if you’ll need to include time codes to direct the voice actors in and out of scenes. Or, will you require the audio to be recorded first to easier match the animation?

What Languages Do You Offer for Video Game Voice Overs? + –

Our video game voice actors span across 80 languages, so we are more than able to cater to your localisation needs. We also work with experienced translators to ensure the script’s meaning and tone are accurately conveyed in the target language.

We also offer translation services for any written text within your game, such as subtitles or on-screen text, and localising spoken content to provide a fully immersive experience for players.

Can the Same Voice Actors Be Used for Video Game Sequels or Expansions? + –

We can certainly work with you to maintain consistency in voice actors for any sequels or expansions of your game.

You may need to be flexible with scheduling if the artist is working on another project at the time you’re developing the next instalment, but we can navigate those details during the pre-production phase.