Lots of new info incoming from the NicoNico Chokaigi 2 event

[Abriael]

We're lucky we're going to get a fantastic game with voicing then!

Considering that the first game didn't have almost any of it, I second this.

[finiteHP]

We're lucky we're going to get a fantastic game with voicing then!

True. I guess I should have said: "an extremely fantastic game without voicing is better than a fantastic game with it." My point is that there are better ways they could spend money than hiring voice actors. I won't be belabouring it any more though. It is all a matter of preference. 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.

[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. >.<

[Catapult]

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

I think it was Yda.

[Laevetine]

I personally hope for English VA they hire people who fit the role and not the most popular VA's.

Of course these people are popular for a reason, but there are a lot of talented people out there.

Most games recently seem they just go to IMDB and pick the people with the longest credentials and go with that.

I thank SE for their hard work, and I'm sure they will do their best.

[Abriael]

Of course these people are popular for a reason, but there are a lot of talented people out there.

The fact they're popular also mean that they're more experienced. In voice acting experience often is even more important than talent.

[Sabi]

I want to watch the cutscenes in ARR in japanese, but it will be kind of off-putting if one of the main characters has a brittish or welsh accent so i might watch the cutscenes in english.

For example Drippy from Ni no kuni http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsmgpjDoUY4

[Tonkra]

im very sceptical about the german and frensh voices.. because it will be the first time of a final fantasy to receive german and frensh voices.

it was everytime with english voices and german / frensh subtitles..


its going to be strange... but well, lets see whats happening.

[Abriael]

im very sceptical about the german and frensh voices.. because it will be the first time of a final fantasy to receive german and frensh voices.

it was everytime with english voices and german / frensh subtitles..


its going to be strange... but well, lets see whats happening.

If it's so bad there's always the JP track anyway

And I have a feeling that that one won't be bad.

[mbncd]

While I too generally (not always, there are a few good exceptions) prefer Japanese audio tracks, I can very easily understand why others would hate them.

Some want to be able to hear what's being said, rather than having to read it. If you can't understand the language fluently (and judging by the English NPC scripts, it may not even be modern Japanese but a modern/old-fashioned hybrid), you have to read what others tend to refer to as walls of text, which somewhat negates a major point in having voices at all. I personally read the full dialogue regardless and type in walls of text naturally so this doesn't bother me but I've had many people complain about it over my shoulder as they watched me play games or watch anime/dorama with subtitles.

Another thing some people dislike about Japanese audio seems to be the style of verbal sound effects. Little grunts and gasps can often be heard when someone comes on screen, or when they're watching or listening to someone/something, or when they're doing something ... It's pretty common LOL I don't know if it's just because Western voiced shows don't really have that so people aren't used to it or what, but it's kind of a running joke with anyone who's familiar with my anime.

Lastly, everyone has their own interpretations of what these mostly voiceless characters' personalities are like. Those personalities tend to be based on the ones they're familiar with, either personally or via Western media. Each voice has a personality that they bring to a character, regardless of the words spoken. A lot of personalities that are very common in Japan (usually the silly ones) are not as well received in the West by those who aren't used to them. If you're expecting a favourite character to be spoken one way but it turns out to be something very different, that can negatively affect your entire perception of that character, even if they're saying and doing the exact same things.

And I haven't even touched on disabilities such as vision impairment and dyslexia, things that would be much easier to deal with if you don't have to try to read what's being said all the time.

As I said before, I'm almost certainly going to use Japanese audio and English subtitles. I do however understand where others are coming from when they say they'd prefer to hear it in their own language. Japanese audio is great to those of us who love it, but that's a very subjective thing and it should not be assumed that it's great for everyone.