Crimson Desert Kliff Actor Says Video Game Voice Acting Roles Are Finally Getting Respect

Crimson Desert Kliff actor Alec Newman, known for playing Paul Atreides in the 2000 Dune miniseries and for his video game roles as Atom Smasher in Cyberpunk 2077 and Dane in Elden Ring, says video game voice acting carried a stigma for years.

According to Newman, some peers once dismissed video game work as something less than “proper acting.” But as the industry has grown and performance in games has earned greater respect, that attitude has changed. Now, he says, many of those same actors are asking how they can get involved.

A battle from Crimson Desert/Pearl Abyss

“When I started doing voices for video games, it wasn’t like a dirty secret or anything, but it somehow wasn’t treated by my peers as proper acting,” he said in a recent interview with Fall Damage’s YouTube channel. “And, now, all of those peers are ringing me up and asking how to get into it.”

Newman’s video game voice acting credits date back to 2010’s Fable III and Xenoblade Chronicles, followed by 2011’s Star Wars: The Old Republic. Since then, he has watched the medium gain more mainstream attention, with big-name actors like Daredevil star Charlie Cox helping spotlight performances in games such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

It is a notable and welcome change from the era when video game voice acting was often undervalued, with performers like Jennifer Hale speaking out about receiving what they considered minimal compensation for their work.

While Newman admits to having “not played a second” of Crimson Desert yet, “because [his] gaming sort of ceased when [his] daughter was born,” he recognizes the game for its grand scale open world and impressive visuals.

“The game is beautiful. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever been involved in,” Newman added.

Newman’s comments point to how much the perception of video game performance has changed over the years. What was once treated by some actors as a lesser corner of the industry has become one of its most visible and creatively demanding spaces.

And with Crimson Desert putting its cast front and center in a massive open-world adventure, it is easy to see why more performers are starting to pay attention.

What do you think of the fact that Crimson Desert Kliff actor Alec Newman says video game voice acting roles are finally getting the respect they deserve?