Though the majority of projects I voice are commercial or corporate, what first got me into voiceover was a love of performance - specifically through video games.  As technology has advanced from cassette-based computers and half hour loading times to fully interactive cinematic experiences right in your living room, it’s been fascinating to see how the role of the voice actor has changed drastically in that time.  

So I thought it would be worth looking back at the fifteen games that really shaped me growing up.  Not a list of the ‘best games of all-time’ - but my personal favourites combined with one’s that I think have been significant in the medium’s development.  Here is the first five - the listing is purely chronological.  But if there are other games of this era that are particularly significant to you, let me know - I don’t need much of an excuse for some 8 or 16-bit nostalgia.

LASER SQUAD (1988)

Growing up as a bit of a loner, one of my early friendships was heavily based around playing roleplaying games with a neighbour. It was he who first introduced me to Laser Squad, a turn based war game where squads of futuristic marines do battle on a huge map. It was essentially a digital version of my favourite boardgame Space Crusade, and all the better for it. The graphics looked amazing for the time, the automation of so many calculations was a revelation, and it played entirely to my taste for all things sci-fi. But most importantly, it demonstrated how social gaming could be - playing campaign after campaign together cemented my first meaningful friendship having just moved to a new area, and that was essential in making me feel more confident socially.

ROBOCOP (1988)

This definitely qualifies as a personal favourite, because their was nothing about this early film-licensed game that was particularly innovative. Indeed it didn't even try to include any of the source material's satire or emotional heft. It was quite simply a back to basic scrolling shooter - but done surprisingly well. And as a huge fanboy of the film - that was enough!⠀

It was also an absolute beast to load - coming on three cassettes which tool 15-20 minutes to boot up each. But the reward was something close to an arcade experience, had a remarkably good soundtrack (google the game title music and have a listen) and featured quite a few mini-games... which I like to think of as an early version of today's side-quests. Being able to play as Alex Murphy was it, though.

CASTLE OF ILLUSION starring MICKEY MOUSE (1990)

I probably spent more time with Mario and Sonic when I first got my own console at home, but Castle of Illusion was my first ever game for the Megadrive. Finally, the graphics and sound quality of the arcades I used to frequent in Bath & Yeovil (sorry Mum) came into my home, with gorgeously designed levels and character art.

Essentially the mechanics of the game were more child friendly than the major platformers that would succeed it - slower paced than the blue hedgehog, and far more forgiving than the Italian plumber. But it leaned into the whole Disney nostalgia very well, and actually rivalled the looks of the cartoon source material.

It was also the first game I had that loaded immediately, with no cassette or disk swapping involved, which turned the actual process of gaming into something far more accessible. For the first time, I could LITERALLY "pick up and play". A slippery slope…

STREETS OF RAGE (1991)

The scrolling beat em'up, in all its button spamming glory, was one of my favourite genres growing up. With a simple catalogue of moves at your disposal, I found they gave me time to enjoy the actual aesthetics of a game more rather than demand all my focus in how to pull off a dragon punch. And while Final Fight was an early favourite, no game's aesthetic and soundtrack made more of an impression on me than Streets of Rage.

The whole mise en scene of a big American city at night drenched in neon was exceptionally stylish. But coupling that with Yuzo Koshiro's amazing soundtrack, a fusion of house, techno and dirty synthesizers took it to another level.

Streets of Rage was also one of the first two-player co-op games I ever got, and I loved the opportunity to team up with friends for some (safe) fighting after school was out. As wasted youth goes - I loved it.

PGA TOUR GOLF II (1992)

"A good walk spoiled".

Prior to discovering the theatre, golf was my No. 1 activity as a child who was pretty useless at sport . Being less directly competitive and something I could practise and get better at on my own, I had a natural affinity for it - which was cemented by the release of PGA Tour Golf II.

For the first time in my life, I was able to play a game that informed how I should approach the real-life activity - from the club selection to shot types - and to a lesser degree, the hideous attire. But this was my first real 'simulation' experience - with nothing but the chirping of birds and the sound of club meeting ball for company.

It's a testament to how good the mechanics of the game are that they've remained essentially untouched for two decades, other than Tiger Woods becoming the face of the franchise. Even in 2020, the changes that have taken place - with multiple fantasy modes and gamification touches - are being stripped away for PGA's spiritual successor, PGATour 2K21.

Ultimately, what fascinated me about the game was the same thing as the actual sport - that you were competing only with yourself... there was no end of level boss. That and the structure of the game meant rather than a linear experience, it was one that I continually hopped back to for years after its release.