Ralph Ineson, known for voicing Galactus in the upcoming Fantastic Four and Cid in Final Fantasy 16, recently reflected on his role as the villain Charles Vane in Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. His insights reveal the evolving nature of voice acting in video games, highlighting how actors from film and television have become increasingly involved in the gaming industry.
Ineson’s experience illustrates that while many actors typically lend their voices to characters, his portrayal of Vane involved a more immersive process through motion capture, allowing for a richer performance.
Ineson described his work on Black Flag as a genuine acting job, noting that he participated in motion capture sessions in Montreal over the course of four months.
Alongside fellow actors like Mark Bonnar, he spent weeks at a time in the studio, fully engaging in the character. This commitment underscores the depth of his involvement in the project compared to more typical voice-acting roles, which often do not require such extensive physical engagement.
The field of voice acting in video games has shifted significantly, with actors like Andy Serkis pioneering full motion capture for characters, as seen in Enslaved: Odyssey to the West.
However, many prominent actors still primarily contribute their voices, as exemplified by Patrick Stewart in Oblivion and Liam Neeson in Fallout 3. Ineson’s preference for motion capture stems from its ability to create a more dynamic and engaging performance, something he feels enhances the storytelling aspect of video games.
Despite his enthusiasm for the motion capture technique, Ineson expressed disappointment over the perceived decline in quality of the Assassin’s Creed series in recent years.
He believes that while newer entries may include some facial capture, they lack the full physical engagement seen in earlier games like Black Flag. His son, who is also well-versed in the series, echoed this sentiment, asserting that Ineson’s portrayal in Black Flag remains superior to more recent installments.
The Assassin’s Creed franchise continues to evolve, with the upcoming title, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, recently facing a delay to February 14, 2025, to allow for further polish. As a fan of the series, Ineson appreciates earlier entries like Assassin’s Creed 2 and Black Flag, partly due to their pirate themes.
His reflections on his time in the series and the overall direction of the franchise contribute to the ongoing conversation about the role of actors in video games and the importance of preserving immersive storytelling techniques.
