With dedication and training, video game voice acting is an achievable career.
Video game voice actors provide voiceovers for characters and other audio elements in the gaming world. Their job is to create unique voices for characters, express emotions, create atmosphere, and interact with players and other characters through dialogue or narration.
The work of voice actors has long been an essential part of game development. They can turn ordinary stories into truly unforgettable experiences for every gamer. However, this is a particularly competitive medium within the voiceover industry, and finding success requires dedication.
So, let’s reveal the responsibilities, skills, and requirements of being a video game voice actor so you can level up your VO career and book that AAA gig.
Primary Responsibilities of a Video Game Voice Actor
Creating a AAA video game is no easy task, and voice actors are required to execute the following responsibilities to create the best product:
- Character Development – Voice actors create unique vocals for various game characters, including antagonists and supporting characters. Working with the director, you will use your voice to convey the characters’ emotions and motivations, guide the player through the story, and use your acting ability to breathe life into the animation.
- Recording Dialogue – Conversations between characters are one of the main elements that bring a video game to life. However, unlike in live-action, voiceover is almost always recorded individually. You will only record your side of the conversation and might not even be told what the other character is saying. This was the case with Isla Campbell when recording their lines for Valorant. Watch our full interview with Isla below:
- Vocal Effects – Actors will be asked to create sound effects (screams, sighs, laughter, etc.) Such vocalisations give the video game realism so players can fully immerse themselves in the gameplay and become an integral part of it.
- Taking Direction – VAs in this field work under the guidance of a voiceover director, which helps to interpret certain scenes correctly and explains how to express emotions in a particular situation. Such assistance ensures correct vocal tones and nuances, and talent is expected to handle direction and feedback proactively.
These are the main responsibilities of voice actors in video games. As noted, this is a particularly competitive sector of the voiceover industry, and it is essential that you perform these responsibilities better than your competition to be asked back for repeated work.
Skills and Qualities of Video Game Voice Actors
Not all people are suited to be video game voice actors. To consistently book work, you will need the fundamentals:
- Vocal Range
- Acting Skill
- Creativity
- Professionalism
Actors must have a wide vocal range to create realistic voices for different characters. A specialist needs to skillfully manage their vocal cords and combine them with emotions to express experiences and tensions in the narrative.
Voice acting for a specific role is difficult because facial expressions cannot convey sadness, joy, fear, or anger. Talent needs to be able to show all these facets of a particular character through voice alone. Creativity is a definite advantage because you can come up with unique voices to make each character stand out.
Video game voice actors face an uphill battle to get roles in an oversaturated industry. Casting sites like Voquent can help you get voiceover work while reaching out to prospective clients can also help you secure some gigs. Try using an email finder to get in touch with casting directors and video game developers, but remember to be respectful and professional when you make contact and only when you’re ready.
What It Takes to Become a Video Game Voice Actor
Starting a career as a voice actor takes time, persistence, and careful preparation.
Constant practice, the right approach, and skill development will help you achieve success in this exciting and creative field. Some people even land their first-ever voice role in huge titles, like Rebecca Hanssen, who first gave voiceover a go in Baldur’s Gate 3. Check out Voquent’s interview and discover Rebecca’s road to becoming a video game voice actor below:
Sometimes, if you are unsure of where to start but have already invested in training and demo reels, reaching out to others in the industry for advice can help you get unstuck.
For example, Twitter offers a very passionate voiceover community, and you can find employees of specific game developers online, such as this list of Epic Games Employees. You might be surprised to find out who is willing to lend you a hand! Voiceover career consultations are also a great place to start when trying to find your feet, especially from casting industry experts like us!
However, before you contact anyone or start looking for work, there are a few essential steps that must be completed:
- Skill Development & Training – Never mind learning to act; voiceover as a very specific medium has a learning curve, even for seasoned live-action actors. Invest in voiceover training courses to learn the fundamentals so you can approach your first audition with confidence and avoid any silly mistakes.
- Portfolios & Practice – Create several demo reels that showcase your vocal abilities as clearly as possible. Most professional voice actors will have a few reels for different mediums, such as a character reel, narration reel, business reel, and commercial reel, so you can always apply for roles with recordings that match the brief.
Read aloud regularly and record your voice to get used to the sound and improve your diction, breath control, and intended vocal tones. You can find royalty-free practice and demo scripts to improve your voiceover skills and create examples of your work.
Finding Video Game Voiceover Work
- Networking & Promotion – Join online communities and forums related to voice acting. You can get a lot of helpful information and learn methods of finding work through peers and online casting calls. You can also create profiles on social networks to share demos of your recordings. This approach will help you find vacancies and meet people in the industry.
- Finding Work – Online casting platforms like ours are a great place to start. Many sites will require a fee and offer job boards to submit auditions to, while at Voquent, casting directors select talent based on their pre-approved voice demos. Oh, and we’re free! It’s worth signing up to multiple platforms to gain extra revenue streams.
Remember to develop constantly, and don’t stop there. Attending classes and seminars dedicated to voiceover is an excellent way to network, and your contacts will often be sources of work. Check out our interview with Tyler Hyrchuck, who started his VO career through contacts as a radio broadcasting student:
What is the Job Process of a Video Game Voice Actor?
Voice actors first receive a script composed of dialogue and scene descriptions. In some situations, clients provide a brief with scene context or character descriptions so that the performer can better understand how that particular character’s voice should sound, but other times, talent is expected to follow directions with little information.
The recording process can take place in a professional studio or in a home studio. In the second case, suitable recording equipment is essential. The director/ client will tell the performer what vocal tones and emotions to use as well as whether any changes are required.
Sound files can be edited upon completion of work on the assigned task. Processing is needed to improve sound quality. You may be asked to adjust the job to the desired parameters if you have the skills, but the client may also have audio engineers to do this part. Being able to edit your own audio can be a great way of securing extra work!
Summary
Being a video game voice actor is exciting and rewarding. Playing characters in games and knowing that you brought them to life is an incredible feeling, but getting there takes work.
First, seek training. It’s essential to your development as an actor and your ability to do the job. When you’re ready, you can start looking for work via online casting platforms, social media, and networking/ prospecting. Not all voice actors have agents, but securing representation will also likely give your career a boost when the time comes.
Oh, and of course, upload demos to your Voquent profile so casting directors can find you.
For more tips and tricks, watch our video guide on becoming a voice actor:
Discover the Best Video Game Voice Actors
Get Video Game Voice Acting Tips from a Director
More from this author
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores such as Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, if you click on a link and make a
purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
