[Feedback] Wuk Lamat's English Voice

[Reimmi]

See now you just telling on yourself.

As are you

[Karious]

How would those who don't like this NPC's english voice rather sound?

Make it sound like any of the other languages.

[Mecia]

How would those who don't like this NPC's english voice rather sound?

Id like her to not sound like 2 voices layered on top of each other.

[LilithRose]

I don't know why you replied to me and put words in my mouth when I've been in this thread and the other one since the beginning and I agreed that the voice acting sounded weird to me.

Edit: https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...90#post6407590
One of my previous posts.

Relax there buddy, read back. I was quoting a lot of people's posts. The only bit that was directed to you was this;

Absolutely. Things can change. But both the German and JP voices sound wonderful that I won't need to hold my breath for it.

I read your posts, and if you read mine too. We're both mostly in agreement I believe.

[CVXIV]

Relax there buddy, read back. I was quoting a lot of people's posts. The only bit that was directed to you was this;
I read your posts, and if you read mine too. We're both mostly in agreement I believe.

I do think we're in agreement which is why I liked your post, and I'm not upset in any way. I was mostly confused why in the quote for me my words were not what they were initially, though it could have been a mistake. I don't use the forums too often so I would understand it. In the end I do think we just have to wait and see, because as they are it's too late for anything to be changed and we haven't really seen enough of the character.

This discussion though has made me more interested in trying the audio in different languages, since many say the Japanese voices are pretty good. I've always been curious to try since in some of my games that is the default but I do like hearing the text and understanding what is being said.

[LilithRose]

How would those who don't like this NPC's english voice rather sound?

This is more an issue with the Acting, than the actual voice. This voice does lay more emphasis on a more stronger, butch, warrior character. Whilst the rest of the languages all seem to be able to capture a carefree, brazen yet more lighter playful character.. you know, kinda like a cat.


However, if I had to guess. The NA version seems to try and insert the more American stereotype of what a Strong, Independent woman should be. An American stereotype that even among many Americans, seems quite divisive.
(As can be seen by the raving fandom of this stereotype presented in this thread.)

There also is this strong emphasis on ethnicity/accents in the NA one. Which she clearly was not very good at. And could've clearly done fine without. As is evident in the other language versions as they do not use such emphasis.


So when you look at it like that. You have a voice actor trying to sound like a strong independent woman. Trying to act like a confident leader/tiger, that focuses heavily on an accent they're clearly not good at.

All the while having to deliver lines like "That was amazing! The beast didn't stand a chance!" after Krile felled the big bird.
Which was directed at Krile with praise and amazement for how easy she made it look. Like a new rookie would. However in English, she manages to make it come across as self absorbed and arrogant, because it felt like it was directed at nobody.

Or; "Oh, and one more thing... Once we've finished eating, would you mind if I took the rest of the meat?" In NA, it sounds more like faked politeness masked as a question, than a sincere question. Coming across more as rude.

Both Japanese and German put a lot of emphasis on a childlike excitement. And the upwards inflection indicating a giddy question. Clearly hoping they will let her have all that delicious meat! The German even going as far as changing it to a cheeky "Uhm... is anyone still hungry? ... or...?"

Video for comparison.



And lastly, woman have voice acted male characters before historically, and visa versa.

However.. there is a reason males tend to do more cartoony, caricature renditions of older woman. And woman do the voices prepubescent boys. Because men's voices deepen after puberty, and have a harder time pitching up without straining their vocal chords in a weird sound. And woman likewise have issues lowering their voice without trying to sound like a weak attempt at slipping into a nightclub under a fake identity.

Now in the case of being trans, taking hormones/puberty blockers can prevent the voice from deepening 'after puberty'-age. Making it 'Easier' to 'train' for a female passable voice. Medicine don't give you that training. Making her inexperience more audible when she sounds more like a teen boy, than a female tomboy.

[LilithRose]

I do think we're in agreement which is why I liked your post, and I'm not upset in any way. I was mostly confused why in the quote for me my words were not what they were initially, though it could have been a mistake. I don't use the forums too often so I would understand it. In the end I do think we just have to wait and see, because as they are it's too late for anything to be changed and we haven't really seen enough of the character.

This discussion though has made me more interested in trying the audio in different languages, since many say the Japanese voices are pretty good. I've always been curious to try since in some of my games that is the default but I do like hearing the text and understanding what is being said.

Thank goodness. I certainly didn't come here with the intention of pissing people off purposefully.

I'm much like you, I like going through the story a bit more relaxed, hearing the same text as I'm reading.

French and German can be tough if you do not speak the language. But they generally do a fine job. I can't confirm French as much myself since I don't speak it, and German doesn't often jump out as much.
Japanese tends to be great, which is kindoff to be expected since this is a more manga/cartoon styled game and of course being the language of origin from which they designed and wrote the story. Overall it tends to hit the pitches of exageration a lot better without sounding off and weird. As well as matching energy levels to go with it.

English certainly had some other voices that just did not gel with me. Asahi being a big one for me. And the character of Zenos also feels like it doesn't quite have the pitch and energy to pull off the madness that was written for him

[Burmecia]

This is more an issue with the Acting, than the actual voice. (The whole post is great, read it all )

Thank you for a good comment and analysis! I tried to comment/discuss about Wuk Lamat's actors quality of acting way earlier too (as did many others, people just got drowned with the other discussion within discussion hard). Guess my comments weren't baby powder textured enough to not get not deleted, so they are gone.
Or it might have been in other thread since there had been a few...

[CVXIV]

Thank goodness. I certainly didn't come here with the intention of pissing people off purposefully.

I'm much like you, I like going through the story a bit more relaxed, hearing the same text as I'm reading.

French and German can be tough if you do not speak the language. But they generally do a fine job. I can't confirm French as much myself since I don't speak it, and German doesn't often jump out as much.
Japanese tends to be great, which is kindoff to be expected since this is a more manga/cartoon styled game and of course being the language of origin from which they designed and wrote the story. Overall it tends to hit the pitches of exageration a lot better without sounding off and weird. As well as matching energy levels to go with it.

English certainly had some other voices that just did not gel with me. Asahi being a big one for me. And the character of Zenos also feels like it doesn't quite have the pitch and energy to pull off the madness that was written for him

I understand and don't worry, despite how I may come across I am generally very laid back. Whenever I do a run through of NG+ I'll give Japanese a go and see how different the performances are.

There have definitely been some bad direction in the past with previous voice actors.
None come to mind currently, though I do dislike Cid's new voice since it's really deep and I guess I grew attached to his voice in ARR from what little I can remember of it.

[Erzaa]

This is more an issue with the Acting, than the actual voice.

I disagree, I see no issue with the acting. It sounded good, and believable for someone hailing from South America.

This voice does lay more emphasis on a more stronger, butch, warrior character.

Which she's supposed to be.

The NA version seems to try and insert the more American stereotype of what a Strong, Independent woman should be. An American stereotype that even among many Americans, seems quite divisive.

That's not entirely true; throughout the introduction, it's made clear, both from cinematics and voice acting, that she's not as confident in her skills as she presents herself, she's young and inexperienced, there's a level of vulnerability there that doesn't make her one dimensional.

There also is this strong emphasis on ethnicity/accents in the NA one.

As there should be. Ishgardians have French names, Thavnairians present themselves with Indian accents, Viera of Dalmasca and Hrothgar have Scandinavian accents. This is part of the lore and world building. I'm often peeved when suddenly an NPC from a particular region suddenly breaks that, as was the case in Thavnair a few times during the MSQ (likely a cost cutting measure by SE but still immersion breaking).

Which she clearly was not very good at. And could've clearly done fine without. As is evident in the other language versions as they do not use such emphasis.

Tural, the New World, is meant to represent South America. And, while we don't have a fully established accent for the region yet, she at least tried to represent that region with her accent, which was... alright, it sounded South American. Why aren't you complaining that Erenville has been retroactively changed to be from Tural, but still maintains his Scandinavian accent, as if he hails from the Golmore Jungle? Not that I have any issue with the VA for Erenville, I really like him, but it seemed odd that suddenly his accent doesn't match his place of origin, another discrepancy I find immersion breaking.

I can't really say about the other languages, I watched the video you linked, but identifying accents in languages I don't speak, I don't know if they have them or not. Having said that, they all sounded good too, I was impressed that the Japanese voice wasn't screechy, obnoxious and annoying like all the usual anime that seem to be the current fad with people.

You have a voice actor trying to sound like a strong independent woman.

Your interpretation, but I felt none of that. And I'm certainly no fan of the American strong independent woman trope either.

Trying to act like a confident leader/tiger,

She's supposed to be. She's trying to win a combat competition to earn the right to the throne and protect her people. What else would you want her to be? She's trying to be a leader.

that focuses heavily on an accent they're clearly not good at..

I found the accent alright, as I said above. It's also common for actors to take some time before they become comfortable with the characters they play. We'll see what happens in Dawntrail.

However in English, she manages to make it come across as self absorbed and arrogant, because it felt like it was directed at nobody.

Or; "Oh, and one more thing... Once we've finished eating, would you mind if I took the rest of the meat?" In NA, it sounds more like faked politeness masked as a question, than a sincere question. Coming across more as rude.

Again, your interpretation, I felt none of that. To me, she felt upbeat, excited, happy to be around seasoned warriors who might help her and her people... and that she really likes meat.

Both Japanese and German put a lot of emphasis on a childlike excitement. And the upwards inflection indicating a giddy question. Clearly hoping they will let her have all that delicious meat! The German even going as far as changing it to a cheeky "Uhm... is anyone still hungry? ... or...?"

So did the English voice.

However.. there is a reason males tend to do more cartoony, caricature renditions of older woman. And woman do the voices prepubescent boys. Because men's voices deepen after puberty, and have a harder time pitching up without straining their vocal chords in a weird sound. And woman likewise have issues lowering their voice without trying to sound like a weak attempt at slipping into a nightclub under a fake identity.

While largely true, newsflash, not every woman sounds the same. Some women have raspier voices, we don't all sound like schoolgirls.

she sounds more like a teen boy, than a female tomboy.

She certainly didn't sound like a teen boy at all.