sd_jasper wrote:Also, voice actors can be expensive. Not just in voice actors' pay, but in the whole process to create voiced lines. Good voice acting needs good writing, good editing, a good voice actor, a good director to give info and make sure the actor gives the appropriate reading, and a dozen other things.
That's why the voice actors need some kind of direction and a pre-written script with a few alternate phrases from the start, as well as a director who understands the story segment and what's required, rather than ending up with a line that only semi-fits for one reason or another, and got used only because it would cost too much to redo it. A few extra minutes up front while everyone and everything is there could save a major headache and expense down the road.
As I've said, the biggest issues in most voiced games seem to be where the voice actor apparently had no idea of what attitude or emphasis was required, how to pronounce a word, or some other writing/coaching issue, not that the acting itself was terrible. A really good voice actor can sometimes work around the issues or make it sound convincing even if they're guessing at the character's personality, but it doesn't take a top notch voice actor to speak a line for a character and situation that's clearly spelled out for them. Either you pay more for extra time and skills for writing and coaching, or else pay a voice actor who can make the best of a bad or unclear script. The latter approach won't help the lines that the better actor didn't voice.
