Who should voice Civ7

[civviefan]

While we’re grateful for Sean Bean and I would be happy to see him return, I wonder if the time has come for a woman to announce techs and preface games with those cool, bespoke announcements. My money is on Viola Davis or Cate Blanchett. What do you think?

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

We can't have Cate Blanchett if she is going to do the voice of Elizabeth.
My vote would be for Tilda Swinton or Helen Mirren.

 

[jsciv69]

I think a variety of voices should be considered. Maybe it can depend on the Civ chosen to play. In other words, If the user chooses America, then have an American voice. If England, somebody with a English accent. France, a French accent etc.

 

[jsciv69]

If copywrite isn't a problem here's some possible AI-generated voices I'd like to hear. Carl Sagan, Leonard Nimoy(as used in Civ IV), James Earl Jones, Ian McDiarmid, John Facenda. Liam Neeson, Greer Garson

 

[Evie]

AI generated voices of dead people would be an immediate no buy for me.

 

[civviefan]

I can’t think of a worse thing than having techs announced by someone with a Greek accent. I assume you meant to use accent rather than language, as playing like any civ other than the languages you speak would create an endless droll of gibberish. Greek is a good example as few Greeks speak/understand ancient Greek…

 

[jsciv69]

AI generated voices of dead people would be an immediate no buy for me.

There is much that can already be done with AI. Today there is technology that makes old pictures come alive. CGI and AI together is creating all kinds of possibilities. And I think we've just scratched the surface. We play a game here that has made history come alive thanks to CGI and AI. So let's go even further. Just imagine the America Civ. narrated by the likes of Marlon Brando. Or England narrated by Sir John Gielgud. How epic would that be?

 

[Evie]

Horrible.

Pay living actors instead of cheaping out on fake recordings of dead ones.

 

[jsciv69]

I can’t think of a worse thing than having techs announced by someone with a Greek accent. I assume you meant to use accent rather than language, as playing like any civ other than the languages you speak would create an endless droll of gibberish. Greek is a good example as few Greeks speak/understand ancient Greek…

It would make things feel a bit more authentic to have voice with an accent particular to specific culture. If I'm playing as Mexico or Colombia. I certainly would love to hear the voice-over with Hispanic accent. Adding a little spice to things.

 

[Evie]

Accents can be hard to understand for people who are playing the genre in their second langage (which is anyone whose first language is not in the game), not to mention neurodivergent people. Bad idea.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

James Earl Jones

He'd also be great. I can already hear him saying "Everything the light touches is our civilization."

 

[Bonyduck Campersang]

Accents can be hard to understand for people who are playing the genre in their second langage (which is anyone whose first language is not in the game), not to mention neurodivergent people. Bad idea.

Native accents are difficult to understand as well, sometimes even for other native speakers too

 

[Dale]

While we’re grateful for Sean Bean and I would be happy to see him return, I wonder if the time has come for a woman to announce techs and preface games with those cool, bespoke announcements. My money is on Viola Davis or Cate Blanchett. What do you think?

Civ7 should be totally voiced in dead ancient languages, with the corresponding dead written form for subtitles.

Failing that, instead of Sean Bean, I want Mr Bean instead.

 

[Bonyduck Campersang]

Failing that, instead of Sean Bean, I want Mr Bean instead.

I've always admired Rowan Atkinson's diction (in his non-Mr. Bean roles, of course)

 

[Phrozen]

Ice-T

 

[AffineConstant]

I've always admired Rowan Atkinson's diction (in his non-Mr. Bean roles, of course)

Atkinson delivering historical quotes in a subtly sarcastic deadpan is something I could listen to until the end of time.

 

[vorlon_mi]

Agree with @Evie -- In terms of the English version, the narration should be clear for non-native speakers to understand. I would love to hear a strong female voice in Civ7. I would be open to a mix of voices -- perhaps one for the techs and a different one for the civics?

I can't comment on the choices of accents for the other versions of the game, or who those narrators would be. Clarity of language is important for those as well, since neurodivergent people live all around the world.

 

[jsciv69]

Agree with @Evie -- In terms of the English version, the narration should be clear for non-native speakers to understand. I would love to hear a strong female voice in Civ7. I would be open to a mix of voices -- perhaps one for the techs and a different one for the civics?

I can't comment on the choices of accents for the other versions of the game, or who those narrators would be. Clarity of language is important for those as well, since neurodivergent people live all around the world.

I think, at the setup page, the user should have a pool of choices for voice-overs. And again if copywrite is not an issue, maybe we can get some voices of the past. For instance if a user wants to play as Mexico, perhaps the voice of the legendary Ricardo Montalban gives it some autthentic flavor. Or maybe have a Sean Connery for an Irish or Scottish Civ. Or how about a Romania Civ with the voice of Bela Legosi. The English can still be clear. But with a touch of character. Or go with pure vanilla. But again let it be a choice of options.

 

[GeoGeo]

Morgan Freeman has got to be the holy grail, but he's already 86 and might not be able to keep up with years of DLC.

I'd be okay with AI Leonard Nimoy, etc. if and only if it was clear the family agreed and thought it was honoring his legacy and they were fairly being compensated. So probably not.

Yes to Cate Blanchett or Viola Davis. Or Dianne Morgan.

 

[reddishrecue]

If copywrite isn't a problem here's some possible AI-generated voices I'd like to hear. Carl Sagan, Leonard Nimoy(as used in Civ IV), James Earl Jones, Ian McDiarmid, John Facenda. Liam Neeson, Greer Garson

Yeah, I was thinking Leo Nimoy but he dead.