So... Merlwyb will be voiced

[Catapult]

Depends mostly on the procedures, and honestly I'm not privy in the details of what SE does. I do think the localization team does a lovely job with the localization proper (even if I'm personally more leaning towards a slightly more literal style, but that's nuances and mostly a matter of taste/philosophy). Unfortunately when it comes to voice acting, depending on what SE's workflow is, it may very well be out of their hands.

I would love to hear what their favored procedures are, but I'm not sure they'd be willing to share. Maybe we'll know more with the further posts on the developer blog.

If reports are to be believed (I can't read Japanese), then the Japanese players have been commending the English localisation for being the superior language in terms of detail and provided context. Fernehalwes has also revealed that the localisation team works very closely with the lore team and the writers of all the language versions, colaborating to the point that descriptions and terms used can sometimes even originate in English before being adapted to Japanese (eg: the Maelstrom). It really is an incredible approach. So if Ferne or Pinurabi are in the studio during the recordings, I would be confident of an immediate quality increase.

It is not like most anime where the localisation is done by an unrelated entitiy, such as Funimation. The various language recordings are being done by the same company, which means their access to background knowledge is immesurably higher. I feel this is significant.

[Abriael]

If reports are to be believed (I can't read Japanese), then the Japanese players have been commending the English localisation for being the superior language in terms of detail and provided context. Fernehalwes has also revealed that the localisation team works very closely with the lore team and the writers of all the language versions, colaborating to the point that descriptions and terms used can sometimes even originate in English before being adapted to Japanese (eg: the Maelstrom). It really is an incredible approach. So if Ferne or Pinurabi are in the studio during the recordings, I would be confident of an immediate quality increase.

It is not like most anime where the localisation is done by an unrelated entitiy, such as Funimation. The various language recordings are being done by the same company, which means their access to background knowledge is immesurably higher. I feel this is significant.

yeah I totally agree on that, the quality of the script itself is top notch. I would Indeed be curious to know if Ferne and Pinurabi are sent to the studio, because that would indeed help a ton with the quality of the acting, that in 1.0 was... not exactly optimal (and I'm being charitable).

[Orophin]

The ability of a voice actor to properly understand the plot, circumstances of what they are saying and what it means can be felt in the quality of their performance.

I'm glad you brought this up, because this is actually one of the things I felt Diablo 3 did correctly in spite of its rocky launch. There was a pretty interesting blog written about their VAs.

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/7054...-one-9-13-2012

[Pwnagraphic]

I don't hold Japanese to be some Holy grail, or what ever other hyperbolic attempt to dismiss others' preference one wishes to throw out. It doesn't matter what language the original is in, I tend to prefer it to English dubs because too often English voice actors treat whatever it is as if they are doing voices for Scooby Doo. It's annoying, like they are trying too hard.

Those that I do find well done tend to use live action actors for voice overs. Hell, even the English native language games and animated shows that seem to have the better voice acting do too. Granted, that is a generalization, and I readily acknowledge that, but for me it holds true more often than not.

That, and it's harder to tell bad voice acting when you aren't as familiar with the language to know just how horrible it really is.

I've done voice overs for a few things, and you just don't go in the booth and do one take and you're done. The sound director will have you do it 100 times if he wants to and then he will choose the one he wants to go with.. So English VA are directed to do so. When it comes to English dubs over Japanese acting, it's gotta be over done. You all know damn well what I mean lol. Any Asian produced film whether it's live action or an Anime has some overly dramatic parts that English actors have to try and act to that doesn't sound natural.

[Denmo]

Sorry, Abe. Abri? Abigail? Abriginal? *cough* ima call you Abe.

The reason Japanese voice actors sound so good compared to English voice actors in anime, is because they're Japanese cartoons, designed by Japanese, for a Japanese audience. Unless the script allows for English interpretations (see; Cowboy Bebop), even the most seasoned VA in America will have a difficult time making their dub sound natural and well placed.

The idea that Japanese are inherently better voice actors is rubbish. Just ask any Japanese fluent in both languages (I did, and they laughed at your statements. Hard.)

Passing off your observations as fact is kinda foolhardy? Ridiculous? What's the adjective I'm looking for. Garish? Egotistical? Something like that.

[Soukyuu]

Vil, I saw you weren't addressing me personally, I just felt like answering anyway :P

I think people are missing the point with my posts tho :/ While weeabos annoy me yes, I'm not by any means "mad" or "raging" lol. I guess I just worry more than anything. I've many friends around me who do this sort of thing, with one so far as to wanting to BE Japanese, because she grew up watching anime and jpop singers. By BEING Japanese, I don't mean just immersing in the culture or learning the language, its the thought of wanting to shed her own culture (and get surgery to look more Asian) and integrate herself into their society as if she was Japanese all along. And I'm sure she's not the only one out there x.x

Haha what? Seriously? I do see the Japanese culture as attractive as it coincides with my personal values quite a lot. Of course it's not without faults, none is. I also don't understand how one can get the idea they can become Japanese. You can be knowledgeable about their culture and be able to integrate yourself into their society, but ultimately, you will always stay a foreigner (albeit integrated).

Anyway, anime are one thing, games are another. SE did a decent job so far (even though I hated the laughing scene in FFX :P) and since the US/UK/DE/FR/JP offices(?) seem to be working together and have contact to the original story writers, they should be able to ask what the writers meant to express with a certain scene. I see no problems here, the rest is up to the voice actors to express those feelings correctly and naturally.

[Abriael]

Sorry, Abe. Abri? Abigail? Abriginal? *cough* ima call you Abe.

The reason Japanese voice actors sound so good compared to English voice actors in anime, is because they're Japanese cartoons, designed by Japanese, for a Japanese audience. Unless the script allows for English interpretations (see; Cowboy Bebop), even the most seasoned VA in America will have a difficult time making their dub sound natural and well placed.

The idea that Japanese are inherently better voice actors is rubbish. Just ask any Japanese fluent in both languages (I did, and they laughed at your statements. Hard.)

Passing off your observations as fact is kinda foolhardy? Ridiculous? What's the adjective I'm looking for. Garish? Egotistical? Something like that.

Or just a matter of rather extensive experience on the field. As much as quite evidently some hate to admit it.

Japanese voice acting is normally higher quality than the original even on American games or cartoons. For the same extensive reasons I explained above.

If all you have to say in response to extensive arguments is "NO! It's RUBBISH! YOU'RE A BAD BOY. I Speeks with the fluentz!", may as well not even try.

Not that you've even read those arguments, because of all you can take from them is "the Japanese are inherently better voice actors", then either you didn't read or you can't.

But do go ahead scrambling for mildly offensive adjectives. It doesn't really change much.

[Loggos]

The only thing that came to my mind when I saw the picture was:

Oh my god, PLEASE don't tell me they have given her dark hair and let this dark-looking colour only be caused by unfortunate situational shading. If they've changed her looks a lot (and I think hair colour is a lot - it can make a person seem completely different) I'll probably run a desperate rampage... ;_____; *broken fangirl heart*




What? Irony? Where?

But really, I hope they didn't change her core design (face, expression, style), except maybe some outfit details. I really liked her set-up in 1.0.

[Abriael]

The only thing that came to my mind when I saw the picture was:

Oh my god, PLEASE don't tell me they have given her dark hair and let this dark-looking colour only be caused by unfortunate situational shading. If they changed her looks a lot (and I think hair colour is a lot - it can make a person seem completely different) I'll probably run a desperate rampage... ;_____; *broken fangirl heart*




What? Irony? Where?

But really, I hope they didn't change her core design (face, expression, style), except maybe some outfit details. I really liked her set-up in 1.0.

Shouldn't worry too much. It seems just higher contrast due to taking a picture of a screen with a camera to me.

[Loggos]

I just really really hope so.