Wuk Lamat's poor vocal performance will likely be better in Dawntrail

[Thighland]

Welcome to the internet. First time?

Just look at the forums, except here positivity gets drowned out.

You're right, I should've known better than to hold the XIV forums to a higher standard.

[kyyninen_kirahvi]

A bit of background: I edit audio for a living, and have worked with everything from musicians to voice actors before. Everything I've noticed about Sena Bryer's poor performance as Wuk Lamat points to one thing: lack of time.

I listen to Wuk Lamat, and I am very aware of two things. First off, that I am listening to a person read a script. She doesn't seem to know the appropriate amount of emotion to put into the lines. She alternates between sounding wooden and overacting. Secondly, I'm very aware that I'm listening to a person speak into a microphone. Whatever editing was done here was not done well enough. Other voices seem natural, whereas this one sounds like a person in a studio. The best reason I can think of for this: it was rushed.

Now, why doesn't a rush job affect the other characters? Well, oftentimes when you edit someone's voice to sound as it should, you have a preset suite of filters that you perfect over time. This can be done in one sitting, but without adequate time you just have to take your best shot and throw it out the door. Existing characters already had their filter presets figured out, and only required minimal adjustments, whereas Wuk Lamat required starting from scratch. The same can be true about properly voicing a character. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Colin Ryan can drop into character for Alphinaud at the drop of a hat. The same could be said for anyone who's voiced a character for years as a major part of their work portfolio. Whereas for Sena Bryer, this is all new, and she doesn't have the benefit of a fully funded expansion yet to get everything right.

Am I right? Maybe. We'll find out in a few months. But until I hear the bulk of Bryer's work in Dawntrail, I'm holding my judgement.

No wonder the audio seemed somehow off. To me the audio was starge until Krile catched up. Good to know I'm not insane. The actress did great job despite the quality drop.

[CVXIV]

I've posted in a few of the other threads to share my thoughts regarding it and I think you bring an interesting perspective to the table. The voice did sound off to me, but I also agree that it's too soon to really tell. I am hopeful that things will be better in Dawntrail and am excited for the expansion.

[DamianFatale]

This thread can be summed up as HAHA FURRY. Just ignore it and move on. People who comment on bait like this are as bad as the bait themselves.

[Karious]

Who the heck has complained about Wuk Lamat being a furry? Out of every argument I've seen that is not one of them, lmao.

[Mostly_Raxus]

Hate to break it to you (not really), but all art - including video games - is political. If you think otherwise, it just proves you don't pay attention.

oh you are one of those... i'm sorry about the relationship with your father.

[BilboSandbaggins]

Overall I enjoyed the character of Wuk Lamat, barring some relatively minor complaints that had more to do with the writing and reduced screentime for Erenville and Krile by contrast.

There were quite a few big emotion scenes where I felt the voice acting for Wuk Lamat fell flat, including the final trial. There was a lack of emotion (or very little) and it felt like the actress was either holding back or maybe lacked experience. I think there should have been some voice coaching to help them get more out of it because approving those lines in their current state kind of feels rushed. There were also other characters that this happened to in some cutscenes as well (such as Sphene on a couple occasions I recall), but I think it's more noticeable with Wuk because she's in the overwhelming majority of cutscenes in Dawntrail.

[iVolke]

i just dont care, i'm tired of these threads, and lets be real, if she wasn't who she is then no one would be hating and no one would be praising, i just want to play my video game, leave your politics at home.

Yet you keep clicking on them.

You're also the first person to bring up social politics in this thread.

[Alchemii]

.... Why are you guys Necro'ing a thread from 6 months ago?

[Isala]

.... Why are you guys Necro'ing a thread from 6 months ago?

I mean, it's pretty hilarious. This thread definitely aged like milk.