Summary
A combination of factors go into determining any video game’s success. Voice acting might not be at the top of the list since it often flies under the radar, but as titles such asBaldur’s Gate 3have discovered in the past, it can define players' experiences. That said, theMass Effectfranchise has been among the standard-bearers of the voice-acting category, featuring performances from movie star celebrities like Keith David and Seth Green that border on legendary. BioWare’s partnership with Hollywood actors seems likely to continue inMass Effect 4in light of the remarkable results, and there’s a plausible case for the developer to take things up a notch and feature their likenesses in-game.
Hollywood’s celebrities have had a long and gleaming history with the gaming industry, with stellar performances ranging from the unforgettableKatt Williams and Ricky Gervais comedy sketches inGrand Theft Auto 4to Idris Elba’s reverberating work as Captain Price inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Influenced by the glowing reviews of such roles, video games have increasingly included celebrities, withCyberpunk 2077most notably featuring the star-studded duo of Idris Elba andJohn Wick’s Keanu Reeves. Their characters are one of the futuristic title’s best-selling points, and the dynamic presents a blueprint for BioWare to implement inMass Effect 4.
BioWare Stands to Gain More Popularity With Celebrity Casting in Mass Effect 4
Cyberpunk 2077 Sends a Clear Message for BioWare’s Casting Choices
DespiteCyberpunk 2077’s particularly fruitful example, it is still uncommon for actors to permit developers to create full depictions of themselves in a video game. Besides legal complications and potential image rights disagreements, no celebrity wants to risk association with a video game that doesn’t meet expectations.
Cyberpunk 2077is a perfect case study in this regard, as while the Phantom Liberty expansion essentially repaired its image, its spectacularly rocky release would have opened up any A-List star to ridicule. Idris Elba’s character wasn’t in the game until around the time of Phantom Liberty’s release, so it’s hard to extrapolate what fan reaction would have been if Solomon Reed popped up on theNight City mapsooner.
Keanu Reeves, on the other hand, has been closely tied toCyberpunk 2077from day one, but the John Wick actor is rather notably well-liked among movie lovers. As a result, his appearance as Johnny Silverhand didn’t do much (if any) damage, but theMatrixstar still took a big risk by investing so much of himself into2077. As such, apart from the steep costs of celebrity cameos, there’s a perceived level of hesitancy on both sides to come to such a partnership. Keanu Reeves' appearance as Johnny Silverhand was one of the few shining lights beforePhantom Liberty changed the general perception ofCyberpunk 2077, but the initial performance illustrates the risks such partnerships face to become reality.
Mass Effect 4 Could Benefit from a Celebrity PR Boost
Despite the contingent risks, the allure for expanded celebrity roles is too great for BioWare andMass Effectto ignore. The voice acting component from previous games has earned the franchise considerable prestige. For instance,Seth Green’s charismatic performance as Jokeris widely considered a home run. Given that the quality of the voice acting will likely remain a priority anyway, the developer should consider giving some of their most prominent voices a more recognizable face for players to interact with inMass Effect 4.
Mass Effect 2’s launch campaign underscores the impact such additions would bring to the franchise. BioWare’s video introducing the voice actors (including Martin Sheen and Yvonne Strahovski) in 2009 generated a healthy bit of traction on social media and added to the hype surrounding the game. Adding the likenesses ofMass Effect’s famed voice actorsto their characters inMass Effect 4could produce similar results, ifCyberpunk 2077is any indication. Despite the risks, the potential commercial benefits and fan connections are too bountiful for the developer not to explore the option.
Mass Effect Trilogy
WHERE TO PLAY
One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced. Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition. Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs – remastered and optimized for 4K Ultra HD.RELIVE THE CINEMATIC SAGA: Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling where you decide how your unique story unfolds.EXPERIENCE THE LEGEND OF SHEPARD: Create and customize your own character, from appearance and skills to a personalized arsenal then lead your elite recon squad across a galaxy in turmoil.REFLECT ON YOUR CHOICES: Your choices seamlessly travel from one game to the next. Each decision you make will control the outcome of every mission, every relationship, every battle – and even the fate of the galaxy itself.
