Beyond Just Voices: Edward Kenway’s Actor Matt Ryan Says “Voice Actor” is an Old Term for Modern Gaming

Remember cruising the high seas as the legendary pirate Edward Kenway in Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag? That unforgettable character, brought to life by the talented Matt Ryan, has left an indelible mark on gamers worldwide. Now, Ryan is speaking out about how much the world of game acting has evolved, suggesting that the term “voice actor” simply doesn’t cut it anymore for today’s comprehensive performances.

Back when Ryan first took on the role of Kenway in 2013, full motion-capture for video games was still finding its feet. He recalls that initially, he only expected to be doing voice work. “I didn’t know it was going to be mocap—I thought it would just be voice,” Ryan shared, but quickly added, “But I loved that it was mocap. I found another medium to work in.” While early forms of motion capture have been around for decades, the idea of actors delivering a complete performance – voice, body movement, and even subtle facial expressions – all within a mocap suit, was truly in its nascent stages for big-budget titles.

Fast forward to today, and the advancements are astounding. Ryan is absolutely blown away by the incredible detail modern games can capture. He specifically highlighted how much expression comes through, even after the digital skin of a character is “painted over” the actor’s performance. “The eyes, the details in the eyes, it blows me away,” he exclaimed. This leap in technology means that what we see on screen is far more than just a voice; it’s a full-bodied, emotional performance that truly connects with players.

This evolving fidelity is why we now see game actors gaining more recognition and becoming synonymous with their characters, much like stars from huge films or TV series. The technology allows actors to pour more of themselves into the roles, making characters more believable and stories more engaging. Ryan believes that because games are becoming increasingly “actor-driven and story-driven,” players are engaging with these performances on a deeper level. Unlike a TV show or a play, gamers spend countless hours with these characters, fostering a unique connection.

The journey has also become a bit more comfortable for the actors themselves! Ryan humorously mentioned that returning for some recent mocap work for ‘Black Flag Resynced,’ the modern helmet was a far cry from the “vice-like” contraption he wore a decade ago. These improvements might seem minor, but they contribute to a better environment for actors to fully inhabit their roles.

Ultimately, Matt Ryan feels it’s time for the media and the industry to update their vocabulary. “They still say ‘the voice actor,’ and no, there’s a whole medium out there,” he argued. For him, and for many gamers who appreciate the depth of character portrayal in today’s titles, it’s about recognizing the comprehensive “performance” that brings our favourite virtual heroes and villains to life. It’s a testament to how far gaming has come, not just in graphics, but in its ability to tell powerful, immersive stories through incredible acting.