About the voices - roundup

[Lensor]

So now that we've had all the race weeks, it is easier to take an overall look of the different voices in the game.

For reference, the ANet blog posts where race voices were featured:
Human
Norn
Charr
Sylvari
Asura
In addition, there is this voice design blog post with some extra clips.

So what do we think?

Personally I think that the Asura voice is the one that feels most believable. Although overall I like the actual voices. Where it is not as great though is the actual flow. I think a lot of the dialogue still feels "unnatural", as in really feels like text being read out loud in stead of actual flowing conversations. If this is due to the writing, or direction, or both, I cant really say. And I would like at least some of the races to feel a bit more "americanized".

I guess it is kinda late for that, but getting help from professional TV writers (or even better TV writers from animated shows) and/or directors I think would do a great deal to really get that "flow".

[bearsfwd]

I have no problems with any of the voices.

However, I will say I expected the Norn to have slightly deeper voices and the Sylvari to almost have a...ring...to their voice. Overall though, not bad, IMO.

[Gorani]

And I would like at least some of the races to feel a bit more "americanized".

I am not sure if I miss the "Texas Ranger".

I think we have to see and experience every piece of voice acting within the context of the cut scene or the scenery in which we can hear it.
Irish & Scottish Norns, American Humans, English Sylvari ... they might have been more distinguishable at first glance, but I have the feeling this sterotype is something ArenaNet did want for their voice acting.

[raspberry jam]

I think a lot of the dialogue still feels "unnatural", as in really feels like text being read out loud in stead of actual flowing conversations. If this is due to the writing, or direction, or both, I cant really say.

The writing is ok (mostly, anyway, though I find many words sort of... out of place). The direction is horrible; the characters in the conversations are not responding or reacting to each other, instead simply saying their lines as if they were in a vacuum. The delivery itself, though, is actually the worst of all. When it's not completely devoid of emotion, it's filled with fake such. There are examples of good delivery, but they are rather few.

[Nohjo]

I guess its ok, though I wouldn't have mind it if the characters wouldn't really talk but just use text baloons in conversation.

[RabidCoqui]

For the most part, it's pretty horrible voice acting...

[DELTAg]

I really don't understand why people hate the voice acting. Actually, it annoys the HELL out of me eventhough I should respect other people's opinions.
And I would, should the voice acting actually be bad. I have listened to all those dialouges from all of the races and I love every one of them. The Char female voices are a bit wierd but they can do, as for the others? They are great or at least good enough. The voices fit the race and there is no over-acting. True, the dialouge cutscenes suck, but the voice acting itself? Could anyone point out which dialouge you don't like? Because I really haven't heard any horrible one. Try to change my mind. :/

And for those who feel offended:

[Ringsgold]

I'll be so disappointed in this game if they don't implement the "skip dialogue" option in a very user friendly way.

Also, an example of what I think is pretty good voice acting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrBGab0D7yo (though I still skip anything more than a few sentences if I'm actually playing a game)

[Bilbo Baggins]

I really don't understand why people hate the voice acting. Actually, it annoys the HELL out of me eventhough I should respect other people's opinions.
And I would, should the voice acting actually be bad. I have listened to all those dialouges from all of the races and I love every one of them. The Char female voices are a bit wierd but they can do, as for the others? They are great or at least good enough. The voices fit the race and there is no over-acting. True, the dialouge cutscenes suck, but the voice acting itself? Could anyone point out which dialouge you don't like? Because I really haven't heard any horrible one. Try to change my mind. :/

And for those who feel offended:

Ok, first what I find good:

Giving Tyria a Voice - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te4FK...el_video_title

Concentrated Magnificence - http://www.arena.net/blog/angel-mccoy-on-writing-asura

Snow Leopard - http://www.arena.net/blog/legend-and-legacy-of-the-norn


And what I find bad:

Garrison Night Scene War & A Question of Faith (but most of human as well) - http://www.arena.net/blog/against-th...n-guild-wars-2

Making a Mark and the end part of Subtle Bragging - http://www.arena.net/blog/legend-and-legacy-of-the-norn


Now, what I find schizophrenic:

All the Charr - http://www.arena.net/blog/scott-mcgo...ting-the-charr

To me the male voices sound good, the female are terrible.


P.S. Steve Blum (Rytlock) - You are AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for bringing my favorite Destiny's Edge character to life!

[RabidCoqui]

After listening to a few more tracks and seeing a few more vids, I'm changing my opinion. Even though there is plenty of bad there is a also a lot of good. Luckily for me, I'm really liking the iconic characters voice acting.