It's hard to fathom, but there once was a time when video games didn't utilize voice actors. With the exception of the 1983 arcade classic Dragon's Lair, the human voice wasn't regularly heard in console gaming until the mid-1990s thanks to the likes of Resident Evil which has since spawned off into a lucrative multimedia franchise.
Since the early 2000s, many video game voiceover artists have become household names. From Nolan North to Jennifer Hale, there are a number of performers who have elevated the industry and become darlings of the Reddit gaming community.
Troy Baker
One of the most versatile actors in the voiceover business, Troy Baker has done voice work for hundreds of games since the early 2000s. Despite only playing bit parts during the first few years of his career, he quickly rose to prominence thanks to his portrayal of Major Richard Blake in Resistance 2.
While Baker has received some flak for how overused he is in the industry, Redditor Pope00 noted that this perception stems from his "incredible range as an actor." It's not hard to argue against such a statement considering Baker has voiced the likes of Joker, Batman, Sam Drake, and Joe Miller among others.
Grey DeLisle Griffin
Better known for her roles in animation than in video games, Grey DeLisle Griffin is still an incredible talent whose skills are well appreciated by her peers. So beloved is she by fans that one user claimed they "named [their] kid after her."
Though Griffin has provided voices for many iconic characters, her most well known roles include Mystique in X-Men: Legends, Catwoman in the Arkham games, Captain Marvel in Marvel vs Capcom Infinite, and Nassana Dantius in Mass Effect. Beyond this, she has also reprised several of her roles for TV shows, the most notable of these being Daphne Blake from the Scooby-Doo franchise.
Armin Shimerman
A talented character actor who made a name for himself playing Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and as Principal Snyder on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Armin Shimerman made the transition to voice acting during the late 1990s. His signature squawk quickly found acclaim when he took on the role of Dr. Nefarious in the Ratchet and Clank franchise.
While Shimerman hasn't tackled as many roles as some performers in the business, he has consistently been praised for the dedication he brings to each of his roles. Redditor Otano-Doiz specifically singled out his "performance in Bioshock [as] what every voice actor should aspire to achieve."
Steve Blum
Known for his gruff baritone voice, Steve Blum is one of the most accomplished vocalists in the video game industry. Across 20 plus years, the actor has given life to various characters including Ares in God of War, Ba’Gamnan in Final Fantasy XII, and Wolverine in a whole slew of games.
Though Blum’s voice makes him far more recognizable than most actors (and therefore not as versatile), he never refuses to give less than 100% in his performances. It’s because of this passion for the craft that Benoit239 cited Blum as the reason they got “into voice acting in the first place.”
Liam O'Brien
In the eyes of one Reddit user, "Liam O'Brien has the most fantastic voice," that enhances every game it's featured in. Such praise might sound like hyperbole, but a listen to the actor's voice reels confirms just how magnificent his work is.
What make's O'Brien's voice work so entrancing is the energy the actor brings into each of his performances. He's just as capable of voicing sinister and creepy characters like The Infected in The Last of Us, as he is projecting warmth and friendliness with roles like Ayatene Michitaka in Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia.
Jen Taylor
Though not as prolific as some actors in the business, Jen Taylor is consistently praised for her vocal performances by gamers. JavaPants in particular argued that the actress might be the best in the business because of her work as “Cortana + Zoey.”
While the actress’s role in Halo has led to a perception that she only voices sardonic characters, her credits prove that she’s more than just a captivating girl next door. Very few are able to pick up on the similarities between her take on Cortana, and that of Princess Peach (let alone the several other Super Mario characters she voiced during the early 2000s).
Roger Craig Smith
Despite having voiced several iconic video game characters, Roger Craig Smith was remembered by Redditor sacredcows as “the guy who played Exio Auditore.” It’s a minor part compared to many of Smith’s other roles, but it perfectly encapsulates why the actor is so great.
Roger Craig Smith is a versatile performer. He has a fairly identifiable voice, yet he’s able to subtly alter it in a way that he can inhabit characters as disparate as Sonic the Hedgehog and Batman without anyone batting an eye.
Matthew Mercer
One of the most prolific voice actors of the past decade, Matthew Mercer has made a name for himself across both animation and video games. He's given life to characters as disparate as Leon S. Kennedy from Resident Evil 6, Espio in the Sonic franchise, MacCready in Fallout 4, and Gangplank in League of Legends.
Despite the versatility of Mercer's performances, retka felt "his voice is very mysterious and captivates the listener." While not every role of Mercer's leans in on that quality, it's easy to understand how the mystery of his voice can pull gamers in.
Nolan North
In the eyes of Redditor bearsshark60, “Nolan North does an amazing job at every voice.” A mere glance at his filmography proves this considering the vast differences between the likes of Nathan Drake, Deadpool, Desmond Miles, and the Penguin.
Beyond voicing a wide variety of characters, Nolan North has also provided motion capture performances for some of his roles. Such commitment is rare for an actor as busy as North, yet it ultimately explains why directors are willing to cast him in so many projects.
Jennifer Hale
Regularly cited as the most prolific voice actor in the video game industry, Jennifer Hale is always a talent gamers are eager to hear, and for good reason. As Yendys16 put it, “she always gives such a convincing delivery and emotion whether she's being gentle, threatening, pleading, in pain, etc.”
Hale’s range as an actor can best be evidenced by the variety of parts she has played. From the seductress confidence of Black Cat in 2000’s Spider-Man to the steely command of Commander Shepard in Mass Effect, it’s easy to see why the actress has always been in high demand from directors.