Are you thinking of getting into voice acting for video games? The video gaming industry is one of the fastest growing and most booming industries worldwide, and plenty of opportunities are waiting to be discovered. If you are new to voice acting or wondering if this is something you should pursue, continue reading to get some vital information and guidance that will set you on the right track.
Is it Worth Getting into?
The biggest question you might have as a voice actor considering getting into voice-overs for video games is, “is it even worth getting into?”. The answer to this question would be 100% yes. The video game industry is expanding yearly; for example, the industry was worth around $177.7 billion in 2020 and grew to $180.3 billion by 2021.
The number of PC games released to Steam, a PC game store, went up from 4,466 in 2016 to 10,696 by 2021. In other words, there is plenty of work to be found if you know where to look and if you put in the hours to perfect your craft. Of course, additional types of voice-over work will also help along the way.
How to Find Work?
The next question you might have if you consider getting into voice acting for video games would be, “how do I find the work?”. The great news is that many online websites look for voice actors daily.
You could go with a trusted online voice-over agency such as Voquent, where clients will find you (the platform also recommends actors to clients), or you could try your hand at freelancing websites. Many solo developers are constantly looking for talent here, but voice actors are likely to compete against each other by offering low prices.
What Genres are There?
Much like films, video games are also categorized into various genres, so you must know what to expect from each type. For example, there are horror, action, adventure, RPG (role-playing games), sports, shooters, MOBAs (multiplayer online battle arenas), MMORPGs (massive multiplayer online role-playing games), and more. Understanding this aspect of the industry is essential.
The game genre will determine the amount of dialogue and emotional range required. For example, adventure and RPGs typically have lots of dialogue to explain or further the plot. MOBAs require very little dialogue, mainly just a few lines for the various characters to show when something significant happens or to offer fun and atmospheric characterization.
Don’t Do it For the Money
The most important thing you need to know when getting into voice acting for video games is that you should not do it for the money. This is because when you start out, it will probably take some time before you land a decent job. It’s not the get-rich-quick scheme that many assume.
However, you shouldn’t feel too disheartened since many of the veterans in the video gaming industry have been around for a long time and have perfected their craft. This is the case with any creative medium – actors don’t wake up one day and decide to star in a Hollywood film. If you reach the top, you will frequently land job opportunities like they do.
Get a Bit Goofy
Finally, the last tip for voice actors looking to get into video games is not to be afraid to get a bit goofy. Keep in mind that these are video games, and they are played for entertainment. Many of the characters in video games are over the top, so taking it too seriously might not be in your best interest or serve the character. It’s better to go too far and have direction bring you back than to give it 50%.
