Summary
- Voice acting is a crucial factor in a video game's success, as shown by Mass Effect's star-studded performances like Seth Green's Joker.
- Celebrity casting in games, like in Cyberpunk 2077 with Idris Elba and Keanu Reeves, can boost appeal but comes with risks.
- BioWare could benefit from featuring the likenesses of their famous voice actors in Mass Effect 4 for a stronger fan connection.
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 as Baldur's Gate 3 have discovered in the past, it can define players' experiences. That said, the Mass Effect franchise 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 in Mass Effect 4 in 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 unforgettable Katt Williams and Ricky Gervais comedy sketches in Grand Theft Auto 4 to Idris Elba's reverberating work as Captain Price in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Influenced by the glowing reviews of such roles, video games have increasingly included celebrities, with Cyberpunk 2077 most notably featuring the star-studded duo of Idris Elba and John 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 in Mass 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
Despite Cyberpunk 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 2077 is 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 the Night City map sooner.
Keanu Reeves, on the other hand, has been closely tied to Cyberpunk 2077 from 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 the Matrix star still took a big risk by investing so much of himself into 2077. 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 before Phantom Liberty changed the general perception of Cyberpunk 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 and Mass Effect to ignore. The voice acting component from previous games has earned the franchise considerable prestige. For instance, Seth Green's charismatic performance as Joker is 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 in Mass 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 of Mass Effect's famed voice actors to their characters in Mass Effect 4 could produce similar results, if Cyberpunk 2077 is 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
- Released
- November 6, 2012
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.
