Voice Over Video Game

A voice actress who enjoys video games. _____________________________________________________________ www.TamaraRyanVo.com

[talethiablogs]

                                          GDC and Abatron!

This is my second year attending GDC. Last year I was only able to attend for a day, and boy was I missing out! This year I attended not only as a voice actress but also as a promoter for the game Abatron. It’s a hybrid between RTS and FPS and you can switch between the two styles at anytime during the game. VERY COOL!  Check it out here:

http://www.abatrongame.com/

So not only am I doing voices for the game, but I am also their social media manager/promoter/public relations/marketing....person..thingy. I’m quickly learning how to wear many hats! 

In addition to handing out flyers for Abatron and talking it up, I also got to attend some panels. Some marketing related, and some voice over centered. I even ran into Jacquie Shriver, a teacher of mine who was leading some of the panels. I got to meet some new people as well, including some guys from Epic Games and Naughty Dog. Hooray for networking! 

I hope to make GDC a regular thing and look forward to making more connections and friendships. Dawww ^^

[talethiablogs]

Voice Acting for Pulsetense Games "Solarix"

So, recently I've been lucky enough to join the voice over team at Pulsetense Games for their psychological survival horror game "Solarix".

In it, your character is trapped in deep space, where the darkness is your friend and your wits is your greatest weapon. The game pulls inspiration from old sci-fi classics and is pretty much awesome. You can find more information here: http://www.pulsetense.com/solarix-videos/

 In the game, I play the character Betty, who is very...interesting...to say the least. To get right to the point, I had to tap into my crazy insane side, which was great. I had such a blast recording for her and I can't wait to see the finished product. 

While recording, I tried to get a wide range of different emotions for Betty. She can be unpredictable and easily ruled by her mood swings. This meant recording each line several times in different ways. And while that's not uncommon for voice work, with Betty it was a bit different. For example, a normal session might have you record "How's it going?" in 3 slightly different ways, but mainly with the same emotion behind it. However, with Betty, I recorded each line with a completely different emotion in mind each time. This allows the director to choose which take will best fit the mood and situation. Sometimes, being alone in a box can make it difficult to imagine how your voice will be used, especially for a character like Betty! 

Overall, recording for Solarix was a unique and memorable experience!

[talethiablogs]

So in response to Peter Dinklage giving his flat performance for Destiny, here is a video of other celebrities giving less than perfect performances in video games. As the video points out, most of the time an actor is thrust into the booth, with perhaps 5 minutes to look over the script, is given a quick breifing of who the character is, and is expected to create gold. Not only this, but a movie actor is used to having other actors to work off of, not to mention a costume, a set, and ample time to memorize and internalize the lines given to them. Being in a box by yourself can throw you for a loop.  That's where a trained Voice Over talent come in. I mean, not to knock hollywood movie stars, they CAN act, they're just not used to that environment is all. However, voice actors live and breathe in a booth, so you're much more likely to get a better performance out of a trained pro.  I did come across this other video/audio though, which I thought was hilarious. It's Peter Dinklage "behind the scenes" of the recording session of Destiny. You hear him trying to give all sorts of different takes on "That Wizard came from the Moon".  Enjoy. ^^ http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/20/5828892/that-wizard-came-from-the-moon-shirt-destiny-bungie#ooid=pudTdjbjoZGydOEZFPUUu_u36wyunndQ

[talethiablogs]

Solarix Kickstarter

Solarix is a first-person psychological survival-horror game set in a beautifully dilapidated science fiction setting

So I get to play this really fun character in this FPS survival horror game called Solarix, and it's now on KIckstarter! The trailers and gameplay footage they put together is really amazing, and I highly suggest you check it out!

[talethiablogs]

What you are looking at is some of the artwork for the upcoming show "Indie Artcade" in San Francisco. The show, which is put on by IndieApe, will not only showcase art pieces by fans of the games, but will also have a pop-up arcade featuring Shovel Knight, Nidhogg, and Luftrausers.  The event is the result of my fiance's graphic design thesis project. His goal is to attract people to indie games who otherwise might not be familiar with the industry. Hopefully, this will be the first of many more events to come! So if you're in the bay area and wanna come hang out, play some awesome games and look at awesome art, swing by! 

[darkstormblog]

We’ve just put up Dark Storm on the concepts section of Steam. Go check it out, vote for us, add us to your collection, and of course share with your friends! Vote Here! 

[talethiablogs]

Hey all, I'm doing a few voices for this shooter game coming out soon. So be sure to vote for it. Thanks!

[talethiablogs]

How sexist video game animators keep failing women

It's time to acknowledge that the foundations upon which animated media is built are fundamentally sexist.

There are some excellent points in this article. A first, Ubisoft's comments on how it would take "double the work" to add a female character, made a kind of sense to me. However, I realize now it's only because they would want to sexualize that character. If they simply use the same skeleton as the male, it wouldn't take so much extra work. I guess they believe that if you're going to have a female character in a game, her hips need to waggle. 

[alpha-beta-gamer]

Shards is an interesting sandbox MMORPG with huge modding potential being developed by Citadel Studios, a team made up of developers from Ultima Online, DAOC and Warhammer Online.

It’s a seriously ambitious game, allowing players can fully customize their experience with extensive modding tools that will allow them to create and run their own MMO, with their own rules, themes and systems.  You’ll be able to create any style of MMO you like, such as steampunk, fantasy, horror or sci-fi.  The possibilities seem to be endless, if everything works as planned this could be the Little Big Planet of MMOs.

Shards Online is now hosting an Open preview weekend, where all NDAs have been lifted and everyone can join in the pre-alpha.

Join in the Pre-Alpha

[talethiablogs]

I've been playing the alpha version recently, and I'm so pumped for when the entire game is realized. I'm such a big fan of Ultima Online, and this games draws heavily from that. 

[alpha-beta-gamer]

DieselStörmers is a fast paced side scrolling shooter for up to 4 players, with lush visuals, fully customisable weaponry and procedurally generated missions, enemies and maps.

DieselStörmers has an interesting Dieselpunk/medieval fantasy setting, full of orc and gobin-type creatures, but with weaponry and armour powered by roaring engines.  Weaponry in the finished game will be highly customisable, with you able to combine frames, barrels and engines to create your own weapons.  Enemies also have exchangeable weapons, gadgets and even body parts to create different combinations of how they move, attack, and which special abilities they use.

The prototype consists of one level and lacks the procedurally generated elements, but you can play in co-op and it does a good job of showing off the visuals style, run and gun gameplay and OTT weaponry.

Download the Prototype, Free

[talethiablogs]

This looks friggin sweet!

[starsagency]

A great voiceover performance by Rebecca Schweitzer for the “ArcheAge Alpha” trailer.

[alpha-beta-gamer]

Apexicon is a fun word based puzzle RPG, with upgrades, special moves and a surprisingly enjoyable story.

At it’s core, the aim is to make words that are as long as possible form the selection of letters available, then ‘attack’ your opponent, dealing damage equal to the length of the word.  It’s a good system, with added depth thanks to the green healing letters and special moves.

The game allows you to upgrade and fully customise your character using with ‘INK’ that is won through matches.  You’ll also be able to manage the town, build friendships with NPCs and take part in side quests.  The character drawings, and voice acting are both well done and do a good job of pulling you into the games intriguing story that promises multiple endings.

Apexicon is a simple and enjoyable puzzle game wrapped up in an interesting story and a wide array of RPG elements.  Definitely worth checking out if your a fan of word games, especially Boggle.

Download the Alpha, Free

[alpha-beta-gamer]

Earthlock: Festival of Magic is an original turn-based role-playing game set in a world of machines and magic, that stopped spinning thousands of years ago.  You start off as Amon, a scavenger from a small desert town, who gets embroiled a conflict between two warring factions, and soon finds themselves on a quest for peace will take them to the corners of the world to uncover the secrets of Umbra’s mysterious, catastrophic past.

Still in early development, visually Earthlock already looks great, with cortoonish visuals reminiscent of Zelda, but with a Final Fantasy-style sense of grandeur and spectacle.  The Alpha Demo starts of pretty slowly, with you havesting a crop, but soon livens up once you leave the starting area and start fighting enemies.  Battles are turn based affairs, with no random encounters (enemies are always visible), with your team formed out of 2 warriors and their respective protectors (Kind of like pets).  It’s an interesting system, that’s easy to learn, but will offer plenty of depth.

Already halfway to it’s kickstarter goal of £150k and Greenlit on Steam, Earthlock is planned for release on Windows, Linux, Mac, PS4, XBO and WiiU.  It’s shaping up to be a great fantasy RPG with some novel ideas, a rich story and plenty of character.

Visit the Kickstarter page & Download the Alpha Demo (Win, Mac & Linux)

[talethiablogs]

I went to GDC! It was easy since I live in San Francisco. However, I've never gone before because of the insane price tag. I went Friday under the Student pass, and that was $75 alone. Either way, it was great! I checked out a panel and played some awesome new games coming out. I even met the audio guy for the game Assault Android Cactus, for which I did an audition for last week! I played a few rounds and was the top player for the most of the time. I'm hoping my awesome skills at the game help convince him that I would be awesome IN the game! ^^  *Fingers crossed*

I also got some networking done, meeting with developers and passing out business cards. Everyone was super nice! 

I wanted to check out the new Playstation Morpheus, but alas there was not enough time in the day. 

[talethiablogs]

Oh Diablo 3, you have found your way back into my life. The above cosplay was from Halloween 2 years ago.(My first time making armor, it's ok?) That was when I was playing the game for hours every day. I even used my gamestop reward points to get myself some sweet Diablo 3 stockings. However, around the time hellfire rings were first introduced is when I finally fell out of it. Don't get me wrong, I made sure to get about 4 or 5 rings made before I left, but leave I did. 

Now it's been a while and suddenly I'm hearing things about a new patch and an expansion coming out. So back I go. This time round, I have decided to go with a Hardcore toon. After a day of playing, I died by 5 fireballs from the sky at level 34. *sigh* A couple days later, and now I have a level 56 toon and I'm hoping this one will last considerable longer. 

[alpha-beta-gamer]

Spirited Away – The Boiler Room is a fun little Oculus Rift tech demo that allows users to step into one of the most iconic scenes in Spirited Away.  Old Kamaji is there, with all 6 of his arms hard at work, as well as lots of little Susuwatari, busy carrying coal to the boiler.  Although you can’t interact with anything, it’s a wonderful experience just stepping into the perfectly recreated boiler room, and just the sort of thing that Oculus Rift is made for.

Download Spirited Away – The Boiler Room, Free (Oculus Rift)

[talethiablogs]

Makes me wish I had access to the Oculus Rift

[talethiablogs]

Explore a beautiful, vast and dark world riddled with unknown mysteries and chilling thrills. Inspired by kids fears and dreams in Hush.

This game looks really interesting and fun. You play a little girl who has to face her fears and escape an orphanage filled with strange and tormented creatures. 

Apparently there will be several chapters where you face different kinds of fears. Darkness, Thunder, Clowns, and Heights are a few.

In order to defeat her fears, she needs to build up her courage meter. If it is too low, she will go into a state of panic, run, or even faint. 

This game needs your help funding! 

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hush

So be sure to spread the word and support!

[talethiablogs]

I've been on an old skool gaming kick lately. I have played through Kings Quest 6, Legend of Kyrandia 1 and 2, and now Planescape: Torment.

I played through this game about 10 years ago, and I remember it being a pretty in depth game. However, I've forgotten just HOW in depth it is. It's really quite awesome. Similar to Baulder's Gate, it's based off of D&D rules and you get to build your character accordingly.

What I love about this game though, is the real choice of how you want to play it. If you prefer to be passive and avoid fights, you totally can. You can still gain experience points and bonuses just by talking in depth with npcs and diving deeper into your story.

I'm almost positive the first time I came across the tiefling in the first stage 10 years ago, I probably talked to her once and then left. This time around however, I spoke at length with her and she gave me a quest! I didn't receive anything for completeing it, But! It opened up new dialouge options and after speaking a bit more with her, she sews me up and now my hit points are permanently increased! 

This has encouraged me to play the game in a different way I normally would. It's been awhile since I've come across a game that truely makes me want to dive into my story and explore the world. For this, I dub Planescape: Torment one of the most underrated games out there. 

Seriously, go play it now.