Lots of new info incoming from the NicoNico Chokaigi 2 event

[Rowyne]

Some people prefer voicing in their own language, others prefer a different language, and some prefer precious budget funds to be spent on more important things.

Very true. I'm one of the people who prefer voicing in my own language. It helps me to better connect with the characters. If I heard them speaking in a language I can't understand, it would destroy the immersion for me. So, even if the Japanese voicing was supposedly amazing, it wouldn't matter since I can't understand a word that's being said.

I have to be honest and say that I'm not familiar with Japanese actors so I don't recognize any of the names on the list. But if the comparison is correct, I guess I have to concede that VA is viewed differently in the west if the equivalent meant we would get superstar actors like Tom Cruise or Morgan Freeman (which just isn't going to happen). That doesn't mean talented and well known English actors don't ever do voicing outside of Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks. Take the cast of Batman: The Animated Series (which had some great voice acting). Bringing them into games like Batman: Arkham City was a stroke of genius. Mark Hamill has become iconic as The Joker. Sam Witwer, star of Syfy's 'Being Human' (who also played a supporting role in Smallville as Davis Bloome) has done some fantastic voice work in the game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and the series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Claudia Black of Syfy's Farscape and Stargate: SG1 has voiced games such as Mass Effect 2 & 3, Dragon Age: Origins, TERA, Diablo III, and The Amazing Spider-Man, plus she was listed in the credits for Final Fantasy XIV 1.0 (surprise!).

Again, I realize these are actors who aren't A-list silver screen superstars (well, Mark Hamill was once a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away), but they are still well-known and very talented. I just think it's a bit unfair to assume the English voicing will automatically be subpar just because SE won't have the budget or sway to bring in people like, as Abriael mentioned, Christopher Lee, or role-picky actors like Christian Bale. That doesn't mean we still can't get some quality and even well-known actors.

I'm still trying to find out what Claudia Black voiced in 1.0. >.<