Civilization Series Dream Narrators

[SammyKhalifa]

But having an "stand-out" voice that relates to the material (history) adds a certain dynamic to the game.

In any case, what I'm trying to get at through my rambling is that unfortunately, most "stand-out" female voices tend to steer away from the content of Civilization. There are a few, Sigourney Weaver, and maybe Maggie Smith would be excellent. If anybody can come up with a list of female, stand-out voices, I would be happy to be proved wrong. (And I very well may be, I just can't really think of too many that would fit the criteria that I mentioned.)

But in all of these suggestion threads, people don't seem to see the content or the material to be history, but as sci-fi/fantasy for some reason.

 

[MaryKB]

I believe there are many famous women with stand-out voices that would be easily recognized. I don't have a comprehensive list, but can name a few at least. First off the top of my head is Susan Sarandon: her voice is very distinctive and easily recognizable. I have heard her do narration work before and it was superb. I think many people would recognize Claudia Black, a great voice actress. Cate Blanchett is another who sounds both elegant and distinctive. Many people may even prefer a female voice: women audo-book narrators are very popular, and have you ever noticed that speaking computers are more often than not given a feminine voice? Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby, Cortana, the default on most GPS devices, the computer on the starship Enterprise even

 

[chronoturner]

Charles Dance.
No other reason than that I simply like his voice.
I may also have a tiny tiny crush on his voice, so. Again.

 

[Thorburne]

But in all of these suggestion threads, people don't seem to see the content or the material to be history, but as sci-fi/fantasy for some reason.

True... but I suppose sci-fi/fantasy tend to go a bit hand-in-hand with history. Especially if the sci-fi/fantasy has a Shakespearean quality. Thinking along the lines of Patrick Stewart, Ian Holmes, or Ian McClellan.

I believe there are many famous women with stand-out voices that would be easily recognized. I don't have a comprehensive list, but can name a few at least. First off the top of my head is Susan Sarandon: her voice is very distinctive and easily recognizable. I have heard her do narration work before and it was superb. I think many people would recognize Claudia Black, a great voice actress. Cate Blanchett is another who sounds both elegant and distinctive. Many people may even prefer a female voice: women audo-book narrators are very popular, and have you ever noticed that speaking computers are more often than not given a feminine voice? Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby, Cortana, the default on most GPS devices, the computer on the starship Enterprise even

I guess my above response about the Shakespearean quality is why I am a bit tainted with coming up with women who would seem to "fit" the context of the game. Though I can agree with your choices and I am sure there are many more (I'm not familiar with Claudia Black, though). Like I said, I could be very wrong.

As far audio book readers, my top choice would be Kate Reading. She read the Wheel of Time series along with her husband, Michael Kramer. The best part, they live in D.C., not far from where Firaxis is headquartered.

 

[SammyKhalifa]

I believe there are many famous women with stand-out voices that would be easily recognized. I don't have a comprehensive list, but can name a few at least. First off the top of my head is Susan Sarandon: her voice is very distinctive and easily recognizable. I have heard her do narration work before and it was superb. I think many people would recognize Claudia Black, a great voice actress. Cate Blanchett is another who sounds both elegant and distinctive. Many people may even prefer a female voice: women audo-book narrators are very popular, and have you ever noticed that speaking computers are more often than not given a feminine voice? Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby, Cortana, the default on most GPS devices, the computer on the starship Enterprise even

Yeah, I mentioned Glenn Close. Susan Sarandon would do an awesome job too (neither of these are realistic, but this is a wish list anyhow).

 

[unpossible251]

See, I was gonna say Cate Blanchett, Definitely destinctive. But, in my mind, she's been typecast as "strong, but tired". Galadriel, who's given up on Middle Earth and is abandoning Lothlorien. Or Elizabeth, who's taken Duty To The Country as her husband, and isn't entirely thrilled about it.

Fantastic actor, definitely. But, can't quite fit with the Onwards And Upwards philosophy of Civ.

Any non-westerners that you think might work? Theres a cricket player named (i think) Imran Kahn who would go well, but I don't suppose anyone from the USA would have heard of him.

 

[MaryKB]

How do you feel about someone like Malala Yousafzai?

 

[unpossible251]

How do you feel about someone like Malala Yousafzai?

Who, me? And speaking of her as a game narrator I assume? I'm afraid I wouldn't recognise her voice if i heard it. I'd be impressed as hell though.

Very contravertial pick, and i'd also be braced for the backlash from a number of sources. Men concerned about the "'P-C' ization" of their hobbies, progressives concerned about the commercialisation of her life, Muslims who are tired of hypocritical westerners who pick at everything, Burmese supporters of Aun Sang Soo Kyi... probably others.

 

[AnonymousSpeed]

motherfrickinCHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD KROEGER baby.

 

[Greywulf]

How do you feel about someone like Malala Yousafzai?

Her voice reminds me of the voice they used for Civ Beyond Earth. Was actually quite nice, I thought.

Besides this, she is such an inspirational person.

 

[conorbebe]

How about Lupita Nyong’o? She has a very grand and distinguished voice in my opinion, and I agree it would be great to have a woman narrate. She is also of Kenyan descent, which is near enough the area humans are thought to have originated, so it makes sense from a (pre)historical standpoint too.

 

[MaryKB]

Her voice reminds me of the voice they used for Civ Beyond Earth. Was actually quite nice, I thought.

Besides this, she is such an inspirational person.

That is what I was thinking. I also feel that since Civilization is a game series with a strong educational focus and now is also a leading progressive game, it might be appropriate for someone like Malala.

Lupita Nyong'o is also a wonderful suggestion! She definitely does well as a voice actress, and has lent her talent to top-tier work recently.

 

[Greywulf]

That is what I was thinking. I also feel that since Civilization is a game series with a strong educational focus and now is also a leading progressive game, it might be appropriate for someone like Malala.

Lupita Nyong'o is also a wonderful suggestion! She definitely does well as a voice actress, and has lent her talent to top-tier work recently.

I definitely see potential for this kind of idea, and that would add more depth to this aspect of the game. Thank you for mentioning it!

 

[unpossible251]

this has been a remarkably polite thread

 

[MantaRevan]

Anyone else think Sean Bean kinda botched it? Not nearly as good as Sheppard, and certainly not Nimoy. Lots of mispronunciations and shaky deliveries. For me Attenborough, Hamil, or Wayne June of Darkest Dungeon fame could all be good. I'm not against a female narrator at all, but I'm not familiar enough with good candidates to suggest someone in particular.

 

[conorbebe]

David Attenborough is a naturalist who once called humanity a plague of the Earth (and he’s not wrong), so I hardly think he would be appropriate or willing to lend his voice to the series.