Voice Acting

How to Get Into Video Game Voice Acting in 2024

Tara Parachuk | January 5, 2024

Red video game controller being held by a young man.

As a voice actor, getting into video game voice acting is an exciting prospect — whether you play video games or not — as it allows you to take on complex characters that you’ve probably never encountered before. 

Learn how to get into video game voice acting and explore the different video game genres and roles to help you prepare for the industry below.

In this article

  1. Why Get Into Video Game Voice Acting?
  2. Most Popular Video Game Genres 
  3. Different Video Game Voice Acting Roles
  4. How to do Video Game Voice Over
  5. Find Video Game Voice Over Jobs

Why Get Into Video Game Voice Acting?

As a voice actor, you have the option of working in a variety of great industries; the video game industry is surely one of them! 

In today’s age, almost every video game contains a form of voice over as video game designers create intricate storylines and narratives to generate a strong connection with their audience. Whether in exciting game-play action or storytelling cut scenes, the voice over used in video games helps players truly engage with the game. 

Each year, more video games are made compared to the last, with yearly video game releases exceeding 10,000! As these numerous and varied games are released, we see more diversity in character development and more inclusive designs for gameplay.

Apex Legends has been praised for its home run on these fronts, and the voice actors involved spoke about what it was like to be a part of one of the most popular games. 

The need to create new and convincing gaming worlds with diverse representation fuels the demand for video game voice overs, causing more and more voice actors to join the rapidly growing world of gaming.

Tech Jury reported that the video game industry’s profits are expected to reach a whopping $256.97B by 2025. Mordor Intelligence shared that the gaming market was estimated at $249.60B in 2023. Being a voice actor, you can be a part of this great industry and take advantage of its expansion, creating a strong career for yourself. 

If you’re planning to become a video game voice actor, you need to know about the various video game genres and roles you may encounter in the industry. Having this sense of familiarity will allow you to select the video game projects that best suit your voice acting skills. 

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Here are six of the most popular video game genres:

1. Exhilarating Action Video Games

In action video games, players complete their character’s physical challenges by controlling the main action. These games usually require a lot of hand-eye coordination and quick reaction time. 

A good example of an action-packed game would be Apex Legends. If you’re part of an action video game project, you may be voicing several sound effects for the video game’s sequences, such as grunts, yells or squeals. If this is an area of interest for you, be mindful of vocal exercises for warming up and cooling down your voice as these kinds of sound effects can strain the vocal folds.

2. Exciting Adventure Video Games

Games belonging to the adventure genre involve players following the video game narrative to make their way toward an end goal, such as saving a princess or reaching the last level of the game. These games tend to have a lot of dialogue — often required to effectively tell the plot’s story — which allows voice actors to take on exciting characters to keep the players entertained.

For example, Elijah Wood takes on the role of Spyro in Spyro the Dragon: A New Beginning, telling players about his journey as a purple dragon as they move from one level to the next. By the end of the game, players understand Spyro’s destiny and develop an emotional connection with him.

3. Role-Playing Games or RPGs

The role-playing game (RPG) is one of the most popular genres in the gaming industry. RPGs usually feature a medieval or fantasy setting, in which players take on complex characters to play the game. These games are unique because you get the option of interacting with other online players when you’re playing the game. Such games focus more on character advancement than on storytelling. RPGs typically have terrific dialogue that helps create a story for the player’s character.

4. Puzzle Video Games

In puzzle games, players solve different puzzles to advance to different levels. The difficulty usually increases with every level. Puzzle games can have a voice over that directs the players during the game, or may give them a few hints in difficult situations. Some puzzle games have unique narrators, showing how the genre can also be highly creative. 

An example of such a game would be LittleBigPlanet 3, a fun puzzle game with unique characters called Toggle, OddSock, and Swoop, who narrate their funny stories as players advance through exciting puzzles.

5. Simulation Games

Simulation games are becoming more and more popular every day. They are games that are designed to emulate specific situations, such as playing a football game or flying a dragon, and thus create otherworldly experiences for the player. They use hyper-realistic graphics and strong voice overs to create their own reality, sucking you into an entirely different world filled with wonder and excitement.

Sometimes, simulation games incorporate other gaming devices that enhance the power of the simulation even further, such as virtual reality (VR) glassesFIFA 15 is a great example of a powerful simulation game. It allows players to enter the game of professional football by becoming one of the world’s most sought-after players, like Cristiano Ronaldo. The game even features athlete voice overs, football commentary, and great graphics — a true treat for hardcore football fans.

6. Sports Video Games

As you can probably tell by the title, sports games mimic real-life sports like golf, football or tennis, letting players compete with a computerized opponent or other online players without having to leave the comfort of their sofas. Some great examples include Madden NFL 24 and Wii Sports. Like simulation games, sports games can also integrate other devices, like tennis rackets, that improve the player’s gaming experience. 

Sports games can also feature celebrity sportsmen and women, like Lionel Messi or Serena Williams. As a video game voice actor, you can expect to voice both dialogue and sound effects for such games.

Different Video Game Voice Acting Roles

Knowing the most popular video game genres is not enough. You must also understand the kind of roles video games contain to get started as a voice actor in the industry. This will help you understand different video game projects and see if they appeal to you as a voice actor. 

Here are some of the major voice acting roles that you will encounter in video games:

1. Video Game Narrators

Video games can feature varying styles of narrators, such as a main narrator or an absent narrator. The main narrator can be the protagonist or any other character who explains the game’s storyline and plot to the players as they move through the game. 

On the other hand, an absent narrator is a character who isn’t directly a part of the game. It can be a mysterious being who creates a lens to analyze the narrative of the game. 

Narrators are very important in adventure games and RPGs because their dialogue helps game designers connect crucial aspects of the game to the storyline, such as new characters, antagonists or settings.

2. Video Game Protagonist

Being a video game protagonist is a thrilling role for voice actors. Video game creators usually spend the most time designing great protagonists for their games. From deciding the look of the character to the entire backstory, the whole process is treated very seriously. This attention to detail results in the creation of brilliant characters, like Nintendo’s Mario. Mario not only entertains players in every game in which he is featured but also carries the weight of the strong legacy created by Nintendo. He is the face of their company, marketing campaigns, and more.

If you’re voicing a protagonist, you need to have a thorough understanding of the character sketch, because your character is the main focus of attention. This understanding will help you create a fitting personality for the protagonist. Your performance carries the potential to elevate the whole gaming experience, making the character truly iconic and unforgettable.  

Also, you get to become something you probably never dreamed of, like a swashbuckling pirate or a brilliant superhero, so just have fun with it and create something amazing!

3. The Video Game Antagonist

As the voice of a video game antagonist, you may plan to take over the world — or steal a bunch of donuts — jumping from one diabolical plan to another, from level to level. Just like the protagonist, you also have an in-depth design and backstory, but instead of saving the world and upholding the main narrative of the game, you appear in ‘boss levels’ or during specific situations in the game. The voice over styles most video game antagonists display are aggressive, bossy and villainous. However, this is not always the case. 

In Nintendo’s Mario series, Bowser has been the archenemy of Mario since his first appearance in the 1985 video game Super Mario Bros. His ultimate goals are to kidnap Princess Peach, defeat Mario and conquer the Mushroom Kingdom. He has a very deep and loud voice, showing off his strength and strong personality.

How to do Video Game Voice Over

Voice acting for video games requires a lot of time and effort, making it important for you to know the best video game voice over tips to deliver a great performance.

Here are three of the best tips to help you get started:

1. Get into Character

Just like any other acting role, it is crucial to understand the idea, plot, setting and characters of the video game project you’re acting in. This will help you understand the story and personality behind your video game character. By understanding the whole concept of the game, you can easily slip into the character and create a strong and impactful performance. Getting into character is a crucial part of any acting job, so you must be prepared to take the process seriously.

It is also important to note that this may be challenging when you’re a little purple dragon or a talking egg, but if you know the character’s story and traits, you can use some of your creativity to give them a great voice.  Consider experimenting with voice changer software to help create the character’s voice.

Conducting research will also help you prepare for video game voice overs. As an experienced voice actor, Maya Tuttle advises aspiring video game voice actors to “play the types of video games they’re interested in auditioning for” because it can help you prepare for video game projects.

2. Use Your Body

Recording action lines for a video game project can be very challenging because you have to imagine yourself being a part of the action as you perform the script. 

You have to come up with sounds for actions like summoning elements, gaining magical powers or anything else that a gaming designer comes up with. 

This is why you should use bodily movements while you’re voice acting, so the sounds you make are convincing. To properly achieve this, make sure the recording booth doesn’t restrict your movements.

3. Take Breaks and Protect Your Voice

As mentioned above in the action voice over genre section, video game voice acting requires a great amount of attention, energy and time, which can put you at risk of straining your vocal cords. To avoid this from happening, you must always avoid prolonged recording sessions.

This is especially important when it comes to video game voice acting roles that require constant shouting and screaming. Roles like this can have a huge impact on your vocal health and can potentially force you to take time off to heal. 

Always remember to take proper care of your vocal health and openly communicate this need with the people involved in the project. Learn more about protecting your vocal health.

Find Video Game Voice Over Jobs

Looking for video game voice over jobs doesn’t have to be intimidating, even when you’re new to the gaming industry. Online voice over marketplaces like Voices are great for voice actors looking to get into video game voice acting. By creating a voice actor account, you can start auditioning for cool video game voice acting jobs and become a part of gaming projects.

Are you interested in becoming a video game voice actor? Which video game genres appeal to you?

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Comments

  • Avatar for Patrick
    Patrick
    February 27, 2020, 3:59 pm

    I’m gonna be the voice actor of Michelangelo

    Reply
  • Avatar for Matthew James Peterson
    Matthew James Peterson
    March 17, 2020, 11:56 pm

    I hope I get a role and I can start off a fun career

    Reply
    • Avatar for oliver
      oliver
      March 18, 2020, 10:31 am

      Hey Matthew,

      Thanks for your comment! You’ve come to the right place.

      If you haven’t already yet, I’d encourage you to sign up for a Voices talent account. From there, you’ll have the opportunity to flesh out your profile, browse through voice acting job postings, and start recording and submitting auditions for voice over work.

      You can read up on our different membership levels, peruse our Talent FAQ, and feel free to contact us for support at anytime by emailing [email protected].

      If you’re still in need of some pointers about how to kickstart your career, you may want to leaf through our Beginner’s Guide to Voice Acting, which is rife with tips and suggestions that will help you get started in this exciting industry.

      Happy auditioning!
      Oliver

      Reply
  • Avatar for Joann
    Joann
    May 12, 2020, 5:49 am

    Do you need a degree or license to get a role of voice actor ?

    Reply
    • Avatar for oliver
      oliver
      May 19, 2020, 4:56 pm

      Hi Joann,

      Great question. While a mixture of creative prowess and business acumen will always come in handy in the voice acting industry, nobody needs a specific degree or license to work as a voice actor!

      However, if you want some literature that outlines the steps you ought to take to get started in the industry, I’d recommend leafing through our Beginner’s Guide to Voice Acting.

      I hope these help! Happy auditioning,
      Oliver

      Reply
  • Avatar for Kyle How Hang Jie
    Kyle How Hang Jie
    May 16, 2020, 2:43 am

    I really want to be a video game voice actor.But the problem is i live in malaysia

    Reply
    • Avatar for oliver
      oliver
      May 19, 2020, 4:27 pm

      Hey Kyle,

      You can certainly uses Voices if you’re based in Malaysia! In fact, a lot of voice talent who use our platform reside there. When you’re filling out your profile, you’ll want to list any of the unique vocal capabilities you possess – for example, which languages you speak fluently, and whether or not you speak with an accent. For example, you can list the ability to speak in, say, a Malay accent directly on your profile. That way, clients will have an easier time finding you when they’re seeking your specific vocal qualities for a project.

      You may also want to leaf through our Beginner’s Guide to Voice Acting when you’re first familiarizing yourself with the platform and this exciting industry, and we also have a YouTube channel packed with videos that should guide you as you set up a profile and get started on Voices.

      Sign up here.

      I hope that helps! Happy recording,
      Oliver

      Reply
  • Avatar for Jack
    Jack
    June 9, 2020, 4:53 pm

    where can I find jobs for video game voice acting cause I’ve been wanting to become a developer for games or voice actor for years

    Reply
    • Avatar for Oliver Skinner
      Oliver Skinner
      June 11, 2020, 11:08 am

      Hey Jack,

      When you sign up for a Voices talent account, you can begin auditioning for video game voice over jobs that are posted on our platform. When you’re filling out your profile, make sure to list your preference for video game voice acting roles, as well as the vocal styles you tend to perform that show you’re equipped for video game voice acting.

      I hope that helps!

      Cheers,
      Oliver

      Reply
  • Avatar for Ray Harris
    Ray Harris
    June 23, 2020, 10:25 am

    I was wondering if there was a cost for voices.com and how much?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Oliver Skinner
      Oliver Skinner
      June 25, 2020, 9:37 am

      Hi Ray,

      Thanks for reaching out! There are two tiers of talent membership. As a free Guest member, you’ll be able to set up your personal profile, upload your demo, and get invited to private jobs. As a paid Premium member, you’ll have access to all the Guest member capabilities, plus you’ll be able to audition for any jobs posted on our site, you’ll get priority ranking in our search engine, and more. You can compare the features of our talent membership levels here.

      Best,
      Oliver

      Reply
  • Avatar for Kim Mondok
    Kim Mondok
    July 30, 2020, 1:24 pm

    Do you have to have experience in this type of field?

    Reply
  • Avatar for Joshua adams
    Joshua adams
    September 2, 2020, 4:46 pm

    i live in Appalachia and im interested in this career is there any opportunity

    Reply
    • Avatar for Oliver Skinner
      Oliver Skinner
      September 3, 2020, 11:43 am

      Hey Joshua,

      You can sign up for a Voices account and audition for voice over work on our site from the comfort of home. When you’re filling out your profile, you’ll also have the opportunity to list any vocal qualities you possess – for example, a US Appalachia accent.

      Reply
  • Avatar for Arthur Rybchich
    Arthur Rybchich
    September 19, 2020, 5:56 pm

    My biggest dream is to become a voice actor!

    Reply
  • Avatar for Mackenzie Stanley
    Mackenzie Stanley
    September 22, 2020, 2:08 pm

    So my dream has been to be a motion capture/ voice actor on video games like The Last Of Us, is there a way to work up to that level. Or would that to have some degree? Im really interested if you would please comment back thank you.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Oliver Skinner
      Oliver Skinner
      September 24, 2020, 11:58 am

      Hey Mackenzie,

      If you’d like to get into video game voice acting, you should sign up for a Voices talent account. Once you do that, you can upload your demos and begin auditioning for voice over work. When you’re filling out your profile, you’ll also have the opportunity to list video games as the category of voice over work that most interests you.

      Reply
  • Avatar for Monaro 187
    Monaro 187
    October 18, 2020, 7:02 am

    I’m one of the most popular players on the Australian server for my voices. I get requests for videos all the time.

    Reply
  • Avatar for Abdullah
    Abdullah
    November 10, 2020, 8:41 am

    Hi I’m Abdullah I wanna be a voice actor someday if anyone here to help I want you guys to help me find a company of games like rockstar or anything and thank you!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Oliver Skinner
      Oliver Skinner
      November 10, 2020, 9:17 am

      Hi Abdullah,

      If you’d like to try your hand at video game voice acting, you should sign up for a Voices talent account. Once you do that, you can upload your demos and begin auditioning for voice over work. When you’re filling out your profile, you’ll also have the opportunity to list video games as the category of voice over work that most interests you.

      Reply
  • Avatar for Nyisaiah
    Nyisaiah
    December 1, 2020, 6:26 pm

    As a 15 year old male would I be able to voice act for a possible horror game or am I too young?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Oliver Skinner
      Oliver Skinner
      December 16, 2020, 5:00 pm

      Hi Nyisaiah,

      If your voice is the right match for the particular role, then your age shouldn’t get in the way.

      Reply
  • Avatar for Ezekiel Israel
    Ezekiel Israel
    March 9, 2021, 4:35 pm

    I really want a role doing voice work, it’s one of my dreams.

    Reply
  • Avatar for Nick
    Nick
    May 12, 2021, 7:49 am

    Hey!
    I wonder how can i be voice actor in Rockstar’s Ubisoft’s or Capcom’s titles? Since they have no such job offerings?

    Another question
    How this happens? I mean if you are voice actor you can do a motion capture as well, so for example i got hired from Capcom, how can i be voice actor or motion capturer if i’m hired from different country? I’m living in greece and i got job offering from italy for example, how this happens?

    Reply
  • Avatar for Chibuike Favour
    Chibuike Favour
    August 4, 2021, 9:38 am

    How do i get jobs here as a newbie? and how do i get to see listed jobs here and apply for them?

    Reply
    • Avatar for andrew
      andrew
      August 16, 2021, 3:32 pm

      Hi there, Chibuike.

      To be listed in search for jobs, the first thing you must do is fully complete your profile, including demos and samples, all properly tagged and formatted so that they appear in our search.

      Here’s a great step-by-step guide to finding work with us: https://www.voices.com/talent/how-it-works

      Reply
  • Avatar for Matt
    Matt
    August 10, 2021, 3:07 pm

    Hello
    I am from Belgium.
    I am currently making a research about voice over.
    I am an actor and already work for big cies like Disney, Cartoon Network but in French.
    I would love to ask you questions about the way you process to reach the game editors or developers.

    Thanks for your answer.

    Matt

    Reply
    • Avatar for andrew
      andrew
      August 16, 2021, 3:30 pm

      Hi Matt, and greetings to you in Belgium.

      Thanks for taking the time to talk to use today. This is a great question for our sales team. Please reach out to [email protected] and someone on our team will be able to provide a great answer.

      Thanks so much,
      Andrew

      Reply
  • Avatar for Mike Drew
    Mike Drew
    December 31, 2021, 4:04 pm

    Hello Oliver
    Happy New Year to you and all the team!!
    I’ve been with Voices for around five years and am a big fan of your company.
    However, several years ago there were frequent ‘voice actor’ auditions posted for video games and the like in which I was successful. Roughly 75/80% casting, often playing multiple characters within a game. It’s my preferred ‘thing!’ However, these postings have decreased dramatically over the past two years or so. What is the reason for this? Is it because generally, commercial/business vo’s pay far better, and are a preferred source of promotion? Are the companies going elsewhere? Are they using AI libraries? Are Voices not promoting enough within that industry? So … where have they all gone? I was platinum for a couple of years and dropped to premium when this work started slowing down … so I’ve been around the block! Would much appreciate what Voices research has to say.
    Cheers
    Mike

    Reply
    • Avatar for Niki Clark
      Niki Clark
      January 3, 2022, 10:11 am

      Hey Mike! Niki here,

      That is so strange that the video game gigs have been difficult to find! When I run the numbers, video game voice over gigs are one of the top categories of jobs on the platform, with it reaching an all time high in 2021. Something must be amiss here. Are you up for connecting with out support team to see if there is anything they can help you adjust to bring the video game gigs some more visibility for you?

      I hope they can assist!

      Best,

      Niki

      Reply
  • Avatar for Alexa Ericka Suganob
    Alexa Ericka Suganob
    January 7, 2022, 6:07 am

    I really wanted to be a game voice actress since I love playing online games such as LOL and Valorant! I really do hope someday, I’d have a chance to do so! ????

    Reply
  • Avatar for René
    René
    January 31, 2022, 12:37 am

    Hello there since my dream is become a Voice Actor in some shooting game or villain Doesn’t Matter i have a such a good and deep voice i was looking through so many sites how to become voice actor or even where to sign up? because i love voice acting through through my friends when i call with them they told me i have a good voice for that and even a really good talent so i was thinking if this site is still workin i would be interesting in some voice acting

    I have a 20 years and i would love to sometimes make my dream come true

    Reply
  • Avatar for David
    David
    February 3, 2022, 6:51 pm

    How can I be able to start being a voice actor. I would like to start a career

    Reply
    • Avatar for Niki Clark
      Niki Clark
      February 8, 2022, 9:16 am

      Hi David,

      Take a read through our Beginner’s guide to voice acting to get a solid understanding of everything you need to do to get started in a voice over career. It quite thorough and should answer the vast majority of your questions. If you have any follow up questions, you can always reach out to our support team!

      Best,

      Niki

      Reply
  • Avatar for isaac jackson
    isaac jackson
    September 15, 2022, 10:40 am

    man this is where i need to be its my dream goal to become a voice actor and i hope i can meet one of the voice acting legends and learn from them

    Reply
  • Avatar for Austin Marshall carter
    Austin Marshall carter
    October 2, 2022, 7:31 am

    This seems pretty cool! Would probably be a dream job for me. Would be so cool to hear my own voice in a game, then actually play that character & watch how that character evolves over time as you as more cache phrases and stuff! I’ve never done voice acting before but would be willing to learn how and try it out. I play video games a lot and love how story lines go and how it progresses thru out the whole games.

    Reply
  • Avatar for Crispus Phelps
    Crispus Phelps
    October 7, 2022, 11:03 am

    I would love to do video game voice overs.

    Reply
  • Avatar for Bret Bernhoft
    Bret Bernhoft
    October 21, 2022, 6:35 pm

    If I had known about this twenty years ago, I might have made different choices in life. But, oh well. I appreciate you putting together this guide for breaking into the video game voice acting space. I’m glad to see that the industry is thriving.

    Reply
  • Avatar for Anthony Pacheco
    Anthony Pacheco
    September 9, 2023, 1:55 am

    Hi I’d love to become a video game voice actor I’ve always wanted to but never knew how to though. I need some tip and help please?

    Reply
  • Avatar for Eiad Eldeeb
    Eiad Eldeeb
    March 1, 2024, 3:30 pm

    Hello i am here i want to act any voice character of a video game and i don’t mind if it’s only one sentence but this was always my dream to act a character in video game even for free i want to act a character from my home even it was a very small character please contact me i hope anyone help me to my dream

    Reply