There are so many exciting genres of voiceover, not the least of which is video games. But getting started in video game voiceover might seem like a mystery to those who have not yet ventured in. There are a number of different voiceover jobs in the video game industry, only one of which is voicing characters. You might also consider voicing trailers and promos, video game commercials, or how-to-play videos. Whatever path you take, there are many ways to work in the video game industry, creating both characters and gaming content.
Key Takeaways:
- There are many types of video game voiceovers including characters, trailers, promos, commercials, and how-to videos.
- Consider training with video game industry professionals.
- You don’t necessarily need to be an avid gamer yourself.
- Familiarizing yourself with video game types and styles can make you more competitive.
Coaching and Training Opportunities
As a coach myself, I have always felt that there’s no match for great training, and I say that from both sides of the coaching table. I genuinely enjoy coaching actors and being coached by industry professionals. Training is especially useful for artists who are new to a particular genre. And there are so many group classes and coaching opportunities to check out. I recommend working with professionals who are actively working in the gaming industry. This can include agents, actors, directors, writers, and casting directors.
Here are a few of my favorite coaching and learning resources for voiceover artists:
- Positively Voiceover (My coaching and accountability group!)
- SkillsHub (You can find me here too!)
- Actors Connection
- Real Voice LA
- The Halp Academy
- VO Pros
Finding video game auditions:
As you venture into a new genre of voiceover, you may be wondering where and how to find auditions for video games. To start, you might consider using casting sites like Voices or Voice123. Each allows you to regularly search and submit for various auditions that would be a good fit for you. Agents and managers can also be hugely helpful in this genre, especially those who have access to union games and AAA games. As you build your portfolio of work, consider connecting with representation who can support you.
Networking can also help you build positive connections in the industry. Through direct marketing efforts like emails and LinkedIn outreach and attending workshops and conferences, you can start to get to know others in the video game industry. And finally, start making social media connections with game developers and video game companies. When you know more about them, it’s more likely they’ll be able to learn more about you. Each of these suggestions can start to help you increase your audition opportunities and also be more plugged in to the industry as a whole.
Do I need to play video games to work in the industry?
This is the most common question I get about video game voiceover. I’m a longtime gamer… some might even say I’m a lifetime gamer. Having grown up in the era of Atari and Nintendo, I have really watched the industry evolve, and I’ve been playing the whole time. When I was growing up, video games didn’t really use voiceover artists, but video game storytelling has become so deep and nuanced over time. This has been really exciting to see, especially since I’m a full-time professional voiceover artist.
With all of this said, I would say that you don’t actually have to be an avid gamer like me in order to voice video game content and characters. What can be extremely useful is to take the time to familiarize yourself with popular games and styles so that you are prepared to both compete for jobs and perform well in the booth.
How to become more knowledgeable about video game voiceovers:
If you take the time to get to know the video game industry, it will make you more competitive and also literate in the language and culture of video game voiceover. Consider watching cinematics, game trailers, and walk-throughs of games. You will also want to familiarize yourself with the different aspects of games and the various genre types.
Here are some examples of video game genres and types:
- MMORPG or Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing games
- FPS or First-Person Shooter games
- Action games
- Strategy games
- Survival games
Creating characters for games…
Although I’ve mentioned the many ways to voice video game content, I know that most actors are interested in voicing both playable and non-playable characters for video games. The most important tip I can offer is to move your focus away from “doing” voices and toward the acting itself. Video games have become very cinematic and grounded, and professionals in the industry are looking for actors who can make genuine connections and tap into a deep and rich emotional experience. So polishing your acting skills can truly make you a more serious candidate for video game work.
The best way to get started in any new genre is to, well, start! I know that sounds simple. But by jumping in with some coaching and research, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can acclimate to a new style of voiceover. So dive in, and see all the amazing new things you can discover about video game voiceover!
