Lots of new info incoming from the NicoNico Chokaigi 2 event

[ArkhamNative]

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

I understand and agree. Even for live action films, I enjoy seeing a good performance from talented (and well-directed) unknowns. I don't want to see Celebrity Actor "A" just repeating the same Celebrity Actor A character we see in every other film.

Subtitles often rephrase and summarize, so unless the native language's culture is part of the story or setting, I'll usually choose the dub. There are exceptions of course.

[Pwnagraphic]

How cool would it be if Ian McKellan and Hugo Weaving did VO's? Ian McKellan would obviously have to be Louisoix.. Assuming we see him again.. maybe in a flash back?

[ArkhamNative]

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

On her YouTube channel, she only features the "Hear... Feel... Think..." voice.
Another site doesn't mention the game at all. The site does have an audio page with a commercials v.o. audio sampler with different accents and ranges. (Australian, English, American). I know I've heard some of them on TV and never would have guessed it was she.

[Rowyne]

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

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

Is it so hard to to believe that some people don't want to listen to the voicing in Japanese? Maybe we'd like the voicing in our native languages to be good.

I'm sorry if that sounds snappy, Abriael, but it's obvious your own personal preference lies with Japanese. However, you have to realize that's not the same for everyone. I don't normally like to speak for others, but I would be willing to bet a lot of new players would be put off if they started up the game and it was Japanese with subtitles. If that were the case, I'd rather have no voicing at all.

On her YouTube channel, she only features the "Hear... Feel... Think..." voice.
Another site doesn't mention the game at all. The site does have an audio page with a commercials v.o. audio sampler with different accents and ranges. (Australian, English, American). I know I've heard some of them on TV and never would have guessed it was she.

I saw that, actually (and it's kind of trippy once you realize that's her). It's hard to believe they only brought her in to say three words. Someone in this thread suggested that maybe she voiced Yda, but Claudia's voice is quite a bit lower than that (she's definitely an alto voice). Perhaps maybe she did if she's able to change her accent and range so much.

As an aside, watching Dragon Age: Origins on her channel reminded me of another talented actor who's done some voicing. Kate Mulgrew (who played Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager and Jane Lattimer on Warehouse 13).

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.

This is a very thoughtfully worded post, so much so that I could have quoted the entire thing. I personally don't care for the Japanese language, to me it sounds like a fast slew of mushy consonants and grunts (no offense intended to anyone, and I'm sure English is an ugly language to some, also). But that's really beside the point. I would prefer not to hear any foreign language with subtitles. I want to understand the nuances and inflections of what's being spoken, as it's being said. I want it to instantly create a response within me, which just doesn't happen otherwise. And when you are trying to immerse yourself in the game world (as I am, given that I am a RPer), hearing the characters speaking a foreign language only reminds you that you aren't part of that world. I prefer my native language, and if that's not possible, I'd rather have no voicing at all so at least I can imagine their voices in a way that is familiar.

[Abriael]

Is it so hard to to believe that some people don't want to listen to the voicing in Japanese? Maybe we'd like the voicing in our native languages to be good.

I'm sorry if that sounds snappy, Abriael, but it's obvious your own personal preference lies with Japanese. However, you have to realize that's not the same for everyone. I don't normally like to speak for others, but I would be willing to bet a lot of new players would be put off if they started up the game and it was Japanese with subtitles. If that were the case, I'd rather have no voicing at all.

Where did I say that people aren't entitled to listen to whatever track they choose?

I jut said that if their native track is bad there's always another option. If the other tracks are bad and hearing people speaking in Japanese hurts your ears so much (for some mysterious reason), you can just mute the speech.

Yay options.

[Rowyne]

Where did I say that people aren't entitled to listen to whatever track they choose?

It's just that you seem to be trying to push that preference onto people. If someone says they wonder who the English cast will be or that they hope the voicing will be good in their language, you respond with...

Unfortunately I doubt they'll be on the same level of the JP ones, but oh well.

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

And then you say...

If the other tracks are bad and hearing people speaking in Japanese hurts your ears so much (for some mysterious reason), you can just mute the speech.

For some mysterious reason? You sound incredulous, like my personal dislike of something just isn't conceivable. That's like telling me I'm a freak if I don't like strawberry ice cream. You have to realize that not everyone has the same preferences.

I'm really not trying to be rude, so I apologize for having to point this out. But I think everyone here is already aware that Japanese voicing is an option. It doesn't bear anymore repeating.

[Andreas-Lycaeus]

Let's just hope the English VA cast is good then! I am really happy for those who are anticipating the Japanese voiceovers and Square has obviously gone all out judging from the reactions, but, personally, it doesn't stir any emotions in me and I can't get excited just yet. I'm adamant that games do not need voice acting, and I would much rather have no voice acting at all than for it to be out of place and to break my immersion. I know that in this day and age it is expected that games have it, but as an avid reader and someone who loved the first 9 Final Fantasy games without it, I can gladly do without. As long as it enhances the experience and adds charm and character to the game, I'll be happy. If we get some truly theatrical performances too, then even better!

[Pwnagraphic]

It's just that you seem to be trying to push that preference onto people. If someone says they wonder who the English cast will be or that they hope the voicing will be good in their language, you respond with...





And then you say...



For some mysterious reason? You sound incredulous, like my personal dislike of something just isn't conceivable. That's like telling me I'm a freak if I don't like strawberry ice cream. You have to realize that not everyone has the same preferences.

I'm really not trying to be rude, so I apologize for having to point this out. But I think everyone here is already aware that Japanese voicing is an option. It doesn't bear anymore repeating.

Abriael is known for the hard on he has over the Japanese culture. He likes to swing it around and make you choke on it.

[Vilhem]

Let's just hope the English VA cast is good then! I am really happy for those who are anticipating the Japanese voiceovers and Square has obviously gone all out judging from the reactions, but, personally, it doesn't stir any emotions in me and I can't get excited just yet.

I agree here. I'm sure it's an A-list class for them, but for me, they're just random names lol. I'm waiting to see what the NA side does with the English voice cast. Hopefully Crispin comes back to do Thancred +.+ lol

[Kiara]

This is a very thoughtfully worded post, so much so that I could have quoted the entire thing. I personally don't care for the Japanese language, to me it sounds like a fast slew of mushy consonants and grunts (no offense intended to anyone, and I'm sure English is an ugly language to some, also). But that's really beside the point. I would prefer not to hear any foreign language with subtitles. I want to understand the nuances and inflections of what's being spoken, as it's being said. I want it to instantly create a response within me, which just doesn't happen otherwise. And when you are trying to immerse yourself in the game world (as I am, given that I am a RPer), hearing the characters speaking a foreign language only reminds you that you aren't part of that world. I prefer my native language, and if that's not possible, I'd rather have no voicing at all so at least I can imagine their voices in a way that is familiar.

Hi Rowyne and All,

I definitely empathize with your RP angle, and just anyone who wants an option in their native language. That's why I hope Square and Yoshi P make good on their earlier promise to allow the players to *choose* what Language and Subtitles they want, whether it's Original Japanese Language with English Subtitles, or English Dub, or French, German, etc.

Options are good. Everyone's happy.

I've definitely heard and appreciate great English VAs (e.g., Cowboy Bebop Dub, Nolan North (Nathan Drake) and the rest of his Uncharted crew, etc.). But IMHO, Square-Enix USA has had a horrible track record of Dubbing Talent in recent years:

Who can forget the horrific / annoying English Dub of Hope and Vanille and Final Fantasy XIII? I also though the English Dub voice of the Lalafell "Scientist" in Gridania's opening was horrendous, sorry.

On a side note, how do you feel about English Dubs if they decide to incorporate a "Southern Texas" accent? Or have a stereotypical Brooklyn Thug accent? Or an Irish accent?

Wouldn't those accents draw one out of the immediate world, and make one think of the Deep South, "Y'all come back now, ya' hear?!" or pull one into New York and Brooklyn of the 1930's "Howz uh' you all, uh' doin'?!?"

That's one area I dislike with some English Dubs I've heard where the English Localization Team decides it'd be "cute" to turn a character into someone from New Orleans, or Texas, or New York or Ireland.

Ultimately, though, I just hope we all get Language and Subtitle Options to Mix and Match as we please!