A few days ago, I loaded an old Sega CD game called Snatcher into my computer. Keep in mind that the Sega CD was poorly misused as a source of D-level FMV games featuring either unknown actors or those that are way past their prime (Dana Plato and Corey Haim, for starters).
However in the case of Snatcher (which actually plays more like a virtual comic), there was no FMV, just voice acting. While the voice acting was performed by a relative bunch of unknowns, the quality was stellar, far better than any FMV junk that the Sega CD has been subjected to. If other developers took a game like Snatcher to mind, then maybe that system might have had a better future.
Even with Snatcher's quality, voice acting in games was not taken seriously. How could anyone ever forget the original PS1 release of Resident Evil, a title which I consider the pinnacle of horrible voice acting? It is so bad, that I even started a Mystery Science Theater 3000 treatment of the game. Thank goodness it was fixed when the game was remade for the GameCube, but I find it hard to believe some people complained about it, claiming the original's acting was true to the game's B-movie nature.
Then in 1998, voice acting is changed forever when another Hideo Kojima classic is released: Metal Gear Solid. While it still had mostly unfamiliar voice talent at the time (with the possible exception of Cam Clarke), the acting quality was unlike anything ever seen in a game. It even made David Hayter forever known as Solid Snake, like he said in a note he once sent to me in an email a few years back. Not only was the excellent voice acting praised in the U.S., but in Japan as well. Kojima himself was ecstatic about the work, and even made English the default language for the MGS Integral remake.
Since MGS, not only has voice actors taken roles for games, but now key Hollywood talent is jumping on the bandwagon. When Electronic Arts acquired the film rights to the Lord of the Rings series, the entire movie cast not only provided their voices, but also their facial likenesses as well. Even actors that have long since left us have been recreated digitally, as Steve McQueen was digitally resurrected a few years ago for a remake of the Great Escape.
Yes it is apparent now more than ever that Hollywood is deeply involved in the gaming industry, but last week there was a concern that it might end. According to a Gamespot news report, the contract between the gaming industry, the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG), and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) has expired, and without a collective bargaining agreement (sounds almost like the NHL), actors might end up looking for royalties for their work. These royalties will eventually increase the production costs of games, and will either increase game prices, or God forbid, we will have to deal again with the awful voice acting we experienced in Resident Evil.
Hopefully that won't be the case. In the meantime, we can be assured that upcoming games will still feature key Hollywood talent. EA signed James Caan, Robert Duvall, and digitally resurrected Marlon Brando for their upcoming Godfather. Charlize Theron will recreate her live action role of Aeon Flux, as well as Hayden Christensen reprising his role of Anakin for the upcoming Episode III release.
And just recently, it has been reported that Al Pacino will submit his facial likeness for the upcoming release of VU's Scarface: The World is Yours. Granted he will not provide Tony Montana's voice, but early screenshots are eerily authentic. The game will, however, feature co-stars Stephen Bauer and Robert Loggia, as well as including Cheech Marin, James Woods and Robert Davi. I do picture Davi as an excellent replacement for the voice of Sosa, as the original actor (Paul Shenar) died of AIDS related complications in 1989. Also, based on Davi's work in Vice City, the role of Sosa will fit him perfectly.
Hopefully the whole contract deal will be ironed out in the end. Experiencing the true horror of Resident Evil is something I don't want to endure ever again, and I'm not talking about the scary gameplay either.
CURRENTLY PLAYING: Unreal Championship 2, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
MOST WANTED: TBD at E3.