Behind the Voices: A Deep Dive into Casting and Voice Production for Space Marine 2
Few elements are as vital as the voice work within games. It's not just about dialogue; it's about bringing characters to life, crafting emotions, and portraying the grim dark future of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. For our latest project, Space Marine 2, we took on an ambitious task: casting and recording voices for an enormous cast that required meticulous planning, top-notch talent, and even a touch of demonic language creation. Here's a look behind the scenes at how we pulled it all together.
A Massive Undertaking: 450 Characters, 73 Actors, and 80,000 Words
The scale of this project was immense. With around 80,000 words spanning 14,000 lines of dialogue across 450 distinct characters, casting was more than just finding voices; it was a complex puzzle that required careful coordination. We worked closely with the developers to ensure that character groupings were done correctly and that no actors interacted with each other within the same mission. This approach was not just a logistical necessity but also a creative challenge—a real-life logic puzzle where every piece had to fit perfectly.
The Talent Behind the Voices: A Mix of Familiar and Surprising Faces
Our casting process brought together an extraordinary ensemble of talent, including some well-known voices from the Warhammer family. Names like Andrew James Spooner, Andrew Wincott, and Jonathan Keeble will be familiar to fans of Games Workshop’s “Black Library” audiobooks, where they have delivered standout performances in the past. One of the most exciting elements of this project was seeing these skilled actors bring their expertise to our game, adding layers of depth and authenticity to the characters.
We didn’t stop there. In a surprising twist, we also cast a celebrity as one of the game's main villains. While we’re keeping the identity under wraps for now, players can expect a thrilling revelation as they progress through the game. This addition of celebrity talent is sure to add an extra layer of excitement and intrigue, enhancing the overall experience for players.
Highlighting the cast, we have the BAFTA award-winning Andrew Wincott playing the Night Lord Space Marine in the PVP mode, revisiting the iconic Night Lord’s chapter of the traitor legions once again. His experience and voice bring a gravitas that’s unmistakable, adding a rich layer to his character.
Crafting a Language: Developing Our Own Demonic Tongue
One of the most unique aspects of this project was the creation of a custom demonic language, a collaborative effort between our team, the developers, and Games Workshop. This unique language was fully approved by Games Workshop, Saber Interactive, and Focus Entertainment for inclusion in the game. It’s not every day that you get to craft an entirely new language!
A First for Saber and Focus Entertainment
This project marks our first collaboration with Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment on a game of this scale, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with how it’s all come together. From the early stages of casting to the final touches in post-production, the process has been a whirlwind of creativity, coordination, and innovation. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that every voice fits perfectly into the narrative, enhancing the game’s storytelling and providing an unforgettable experience for players.
Final Thoughts
Creating the voice work for Space Marine 2 has been an adventure in itself, filled with challenges, surprises, and remarkable achievements. From managing a massive cast and complex recording logistics to welcoming both familiar voices and unexpected celebrity talent, we’ve poured our hearts into every aspect of this project. As the game unfolds, we hope players will enjoy discovering the layers of storytelling, character, and voice that we’ve carefully crafted to make this experience truly one-of-a-kind.