Overly Positive

Yes, yes – I know I’ve been posting lots of positive, sunny, optimistic things about voice work in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Perhaps some of my barely double-digit readership might be sick of it already. But trust me, this is a good one. Really!

A lot of people have seemed a bit skeptical of TOR’s voiceover focus, especially in light of the video documentary in which the full scope of the resources spent on this part of the game was shown. There’s plenty of argument about making sure the game works prior to making sure that it looks or in this case, sounds good. But I’ve always felt that the focus on voice, as much of a side benefit as it sounds, will probably bring more identity to TOR in a sea of MMOs that will be out by the time it releases.

Of course, actual proof will be in the pudding once things settle in with public beta as well as the release of the game. But until then, there is some proof out there as to the appeal of voiced characters – and its name is HK-47.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Knights of the Old Republic, HK-47 is a recruitable droid who joins your merry little band of misfits. While the various characters in KOTOR are pretty memorable for the most part, HK-47 stands head and shoulders above the others, for the simple reason of his sardonic wit and tireless devotion to his primary function. That function, by the way, is killing things. Assassination droids appear to be at a premium, making HK-47 an ideal and entertaining addition.

Really though, the thing that makes this character as iconic as a C3PO or R2-D2 is the voice and mannerisms. While the aforementioned droids from the Star Wars films were partly appealing due to their comic relief, HK-47 delivers this same background flavor to KOTOR. The difference is in the presentation, a mix of amoral and sarcastic tone that can only come out in the voice behind HK-47, starting with what he calls organic lifeforms:

“Retraction: Did I say that out loud? While it is true you are a meatbag, I should refrain from addressing you as such.

Explanation: It’s just that… you have all these squishy parts, master. And all that water! How the constant sloshing doesn’t drive you mad, I have no idea…”

Or perhaps how he treats his primary function:

“Translation: 98% probability that members of the miniature organic’s tribe are being held by Sand People, master. Doubtless he wishes assistance…

Translation: 2% probability that the miniature organic is simply looking for trouble and needs to be blasted. That may be wishful thinking on my part, master.”

Really, as funny as the words are when written on the screen, they don’t really do them justice. That can only come from a voice and something we can hear as well as see on the screen. It’s true that there are going to be many NPCs in TOR, and quite a few of them are going to be forgettable, voice or not. But if we can remember, just a little bit how a quest was more interesting or more engaging because it was voiced and heard, rather than seen, then that’s only good for Bioware. The immersion that results from being in TOR’s universe can only help get players more invested in the product as it is played.

But don’t take my word for it – just hear what HK-47 has to say:

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