Why did they change all the voice actors?

[Ametrine]

As for the voice acting, I honestly think that the voices in Heavenward is more serious than ARR; I had re-watched some cutscenes from both sides. In ARR, the voice actors didn't put enough feeling to the dialogue, it's just.."say the line and be done with it". While in Heavensward, there's more feeling like the character truly sounds like they're either angry, skeptical, sad, etc. (the cutscene "Consequences" is a good example).

This was actually the primary complaint with ARR's voice acting: it was too stiff.

Whether that was the result of the actors themselves, the director, the timeframe to record, or a mix is unknown.

All I know is I feel like every newer actor is giving a better performance, and hope the quality continues into 4.0.

[Chione]

Terribly missing Alphinaud, Merlwyb and Urianger's ARR voices. Having started an alt on another server to play with a friend who couldn't get on Balmung, I'm hearing them all again and feeling homesick. That we never did get an explanation is a bit unsettling. I thought I read somewhere that Thancred's VA was under the impression he'd still have the job in Heavensward and did interviews to that effect. I hate to think they pulled the rug out from under these talented folk without warning. No Bueno.

Don't get me wrong. The new voices aren't bad at all. Finding out Y'shtola now shares hers with DA:I's Sera actually made me somehow dislike the latter less. That's saying a great deal, as I would have preferred a [Push Sera off the roof] option instead of the friendship cookies. But Al, Merlwyb and Urianger in particular will never be the same without Sam, Jean and Gideon.

If those 3 could have their ARR voices back, all would feel right with the universe again. Probably.

[Enkidoh]

From what I understand the reason for the change of voice actors in Heavensward is SE switched to a British studio who were the ones who provided the voice actors for the expansion.

Ironically mostly I think the new cast did a decent job overall, the ones I felt were jarring was Ilberd (who now sounded like he was gargling mouthwash, although I guess that might be deliberate to show that his duel with Raubahn left him with a damaged larynx), and Merlywb, whose new actress now sounds like an Aussie trying to put on a pirate accent (and I say that as a native Australian myself ). And sadly, given real life events that have since happened since Heavensward's launch, Sian Blake's tragic death means Yugiri will need to be recast again - I actually felt she did a very good job at the character and so it's a fitting legacy to her. Either way, I do miss the old cast as well, as some just fitted their roles (Urianger and Merlwyb especially).

But then, I'm mostly indifferent to voice acting in games so whichever floats your airship I guess?

[Laerune]

Please SE, do not change them again and if you have to change them, stay away from Aymeric, leave bae alone.

[Mysticales]

So been trying to figure something out and I saw this thread. Who DID do Tatarus voice in ARR? I find no records on imdb or few searches on it. I see it for HW tho.

[Chewy2nd]

I hope the keep the current voice cast in Stormblood, one of the best things about the new voice cast is areas now seem to have certain accents, even The Griffin kept up the tradition of Ala Mhigan actors speaking in a Yorkshire accent.

[Averax]

I hope the keep the current voice cast in Stormblood, one of the best things about the new voice cast is areas now seem to have certain accents, even The Griffin kept up the tradition of Ala Mhigan actors speaking in a Yorkshire accent.

I hope they keep it just because cycling through voice actors every expansion is jarring.

[LLSmoothJ]

The only way I see them changing VAs in Stormblood like last time is if they switch to a new studio again.

[dejiko_san]

I hope they keep it just because cycling through voice actors every expansion is jarring.

It also depends on voice actor availability.

For example:
1) You get voice actor A and hire him for lets say 3 months.
2) He comes to the recording sessions and does all his lines.
3) When his contract is up, he works on a different project/game.
4) You then need him for the next expansion but he's still on that other game.

You can either wait for him to be free again or recast.

[Akira_Tenshi]

Because most of them were terrrible.