How to Be Video Game Voiceover Artist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 18, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Being a video game voiceover artist requires a wide range of skills and experience. A successful voiceover artist must have an excellent ear for sound, an ability to act, and a good understanding of technical audio equipment. In addition, they need to be a good storyteller and have a strong understanding of the characters they are voicing.

As a result, voiceover artists must be able to capture and portray the emotions of the characters they play in order to bring them to life. This can include being able to perform a variety of accents, dialects, and tones, as well as having a good knowledge of the game's plot, setting, and characters. Furthermore, a voiceover artist should also have a good background in music, sound design, and sound engineering in order to properly record and edit their performance.

By mastering these skills, video game voiceover artists can create compelling performances that bring their characters to life.

Steps How to Become

Develop Your Voice. As with any voiceover career, you will need to develop your own unique voice and style. Take classes or lessons to learn proper techniques and practice your range.
Network. Networking is key to finding work in the voiceover industry. Reach out to voiceover agents, production companies, and video game developers to build relationships and let them know youre available for work.
Get Experience. Experience is invaluable in the voiceover industry. Look for ways to gain experience by doing volunteer work or internships with video game companies.
Build Your Resume. Once you have experience, start building your resume. Include any voiceover work youve done, any classes or lessons youve taken, and any awards or recognition youve received.
Record a Demo Reel. Put together a demo reel that showcases your best work. This will give potential employers an idea of your range and style.
Market Yourself. Once you have a demo reel, start marketing yourself. Create a website to showcase your work and promote yourself on social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn.
Get Representation. Consider getting representation from a talent agent who specializes in video game voiceover work. They can help you find jobs and negotiate contracts.

The job of a video game voiceover artist requires a great deal of skill and capability. To achieve success in this field, one must have a good understanding of the game's plot and characters, as well as the ability to effectively convey emotions and nuances through their voice. voiceover artists must have a strong grasp of the technical aspects of sound engineering and recording, such as microphone technique and sound mixing.

Furthermore, having good public speaking skills is essential for delivering a captivating performance. it is the combination of these elements that will help an aspiring voiceover artist become a successful professional.

You may want to check Voiceover Coach, Interactive Audio Book Voiceover Artist, and E-Learning Video Voiceover Artist for alternative.

Job Description

Video Game Narrator: Record dialogue and narration for video game characters and storylines.
Voiceover Actor: Voice different characters in a video game, ranging from main protagonists to minor NPCs.
Sound Designer: Design sound effects and music for video games, including voice-overs, soundscapes, and other audio elements.
Dialogue Editor: Edit existing dialogue to refine pronunciation and enunciation, as well as adjust for length and context.
Casting Director: Recruit, select, and direct voiceover talent for video games.
Localization Producer: Adapt voiceovers for various markets and languages in order to localize the game for worldwide audiences.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent verbal communication skills
Ability to remain in character and stay focused
Proficiency in a variety of different accents and dialects
Comfort with improvisation and ad-libbing
High level of emotional range and expression
Ability to take direction and interpret written scripts
Knowledge of video game culture, terminology, and characters
Technical knowledge of microphones, audio software, and recording equipment
Ability to work quickly and efficiently under tight deadlines

Being a successful video game voiceover artist requires a number of important skills. Most importantly, having a strong vocal range and the ability to accurately and convincingly emulate a wide variety of voices is essential. having an understanding of the nuances of the gaming industry, such as the technical aspects of recording and editing, as well as knowledge of the gaming culture, is key for success.

Finally, having good improvisation skills and the ability to take direction from producers are also essential for any voiceover artist. Without these skills, it can be difficult to break into the industry and even more difficult to succeed in it. The ability to combine all of these skills and put them to good use is what will separate a successful voiceover artist from an unsuccessful one.

Voiceover Announcer, Narration Voiceover Artist, and Educational Voiceover Artist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in voiceover work?
How did you become interested in video game voiceover work?
What techniques do you use to bring characters to life in video games?
How do you prepare for a voiceover session?
How would you describe your vocal style?
What do you think makes a successful video game voiceover?
What type of video game genres have you worked with?
Is there a particular character that you have voiced that you are particularly proud of?
Describe a time when you had to change your approach or make adjustments to a character due to feedback from the game developers.
How do you ensure that your performance is consistent across multiple takes?

Common Tools in Industry

Microphone. A device used to record audio, such as a voiceover. (eg: Blue Yeti Microphone)
Audio Editing Software. Software used to edit audio recordings, such as adding effects or removing background noise. (eg: Adobe Audition)
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). A computer program that allows users to record, edit, mix and master audio. (eg: Pro Tools)
Voice-over Booth . An isolated space designed to reduce outside noise and provide acoustically treated environment for recording voiceover. (eg: WhisperRoom Studio)
Script Writing Software. Software designed to help write scripts for video games. (eg: Final Draft)
Recording Equipment. Equipment used to record audio, such as microphones, preamps, and audio interfaces. (eg: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2)
Sound Effects Libraries. Libraries of sound recordings that can be used to create realistic sound effects for video games. (eg: Hollywood Edge)

Professional Organizations to Know

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS)
National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR)
The Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS)
Voice Actors Network (VAN)
International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
The Game Audio Network Guild (GANG)
Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
Audio Engineering Society (AES)
Broadcast Education Association (BEA)
International Game Developers Association Audio Special Interest Group (IGDA-ASIG)

We also have Webinar Voiceover Artist, Instructional Video Voiceover Artist, and Audio Drama Character Voiceover Artist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Voice Acting. A form of acting in which a performer speaks or sings dialogue on behalf of a character in a video game.
Voice Director. A person who is responsible for guiding the performance of voice actors in a video game.
Character Design. The process of creating the visual appearance and personality of a character in a video game.
Script Writing. The process of writing the dialogue, plot, and other elements that make up a video game's story.
Audio Engineering. The process of recording, mixing, and editing the audio tracks used in a video game.
Game Testing. The process of evaluating the quality of a video game by playing it and identifying any potential bugs or glitches.
Foley Artist. A person who creates sound effects in a video game by using everyday objects and tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary of a Video Game Voiceover Artist?

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Video Game Voiceover Artist is $60,000 per year.

How many years of experience does a Video Game Voiceover Artist need?

On average, a Video Game Voiceover Artist should have at least 5 years of experience in the industry.

What qualifications are necessary to become a Video Game Voiceover Artist?

To become a Video Game Voiceover Artist, you should have an excellent speaking voice, strong acting skills, and an ability to take direction. Additionally, you may need to take voiceover classes or workshops to hone your craft.