Discussion: ARF Voices

[ChiefRyza]

Hello all, I think this is a very important topic regarding the ARF faction and needs strong attention. While it has been discussed a small amount in other threads, we should pull together ideas on what the voiceovers should sound like, what accents to use etc.

From my understanding there are so many languages throughout Africa it would be impossible and against the nature of the faction to choose one so specific. Seeing as the official language of many African nations are either French or English, we should focus on creating a consistent collection of voices.

I personally think that English should be used primarily with African accents. This would easily distinguish the force itself and remain relatively accurate. Maybe also, have small bits of French dialogue mixed throughout (To signify some soldiers knowing both French, and English). If we attempt to mix the two completely there will be problems with the faction being a mixed lingual unit (which doesn't exactly work in real life - eg. Canadian Forces ).

On the other hand if we have only one, either pure French or pure English, it might not be representative enough of the faction being from a large collection of African nations.

Anyway, I'm just throwing this out there because I think it needs to be discussed and worked on ASAP. I'm sure if we band together we can get the voice acting for the ARF done as difficult as it may be.

[Wakain]

interesting point there chief, but though pure english or french diaologue will make teamwork and mutual understanding easier, I think choosing one african language will add more to the game. perhaps it's worth researching which country is most active with the current african union army.

just my 10 pence there

[BroCop]

Meh all I care is that they dont speak Afrikaneer (FarCry2 syndrome in which every single person has a dutch/aussie accent)

[ChiefRyza]

Well I was personally thinking for consistencies sake to have them with African accents, pretty much speaking full English and it would make it easier to understand. Considering it's the official language of a large number of nations it would make sense. The idea is that the ARF is a collection of nations, you can't have an army that speaks a load of different languages without understanding a common one. If we have the opportunity to have an English speaking OPFOR I think it would be great because we would actually be able to use the commo rose in combat and understand

The problem now is finding voice actors. English speaking African people with strong accents would be the most suitable, but we just have to organize something. If anyone has any friends who have a strong African accent that would be great, otherwise I might have to put up some voice acting advertisements at uni or something, see if I can find some willing volunteers.

[Web_cole]

The Golden Rule of voice acting: do it perfect or not at all

[Wakain]

Well I was personally thinking for consistencies sake to have them with African accents, pretty much speaking full English and it would make it easier to understand. Considering it's the official language of a large number of nations it would make sense. The idea is that the ARF is a collection of nations, you can't have an army that speaks a load of different languages without understanding a common one. If we have the opportunity to have an English speaking OPFOR I think it would be great because we would actually be able to use the commo rose in combat and understand

The problem now is finding voice actors. English speaking African people with strong accents would be the most suitable, but we just have to organize something. If anyone has any friends who have a strong African accent that would be great, otherwise I might have to put up some voice acting advertisements at uni or something, see if I can find some willing volunteers.

I was referring to the CF solution which had a similar, though national problem with it's language. Anyway I think you're right, gameplay and realism wise it would be better to use english, though indeed with strong accents. perhaps sometimes the odd random african word the soldier has difficulties translating with
can't help you with that I'm affraid, but I wish you the best of luck

[Sgt_Doctor]

My idea was to use the EF voices.

Why ? Because, you can hear some differents accents when the soldiers speak in English. (French, Spanish etc.)

[AcornBeing]

My idea was to use the EF voices.

Why ? Because, you can hear some differents accents when the soldiers speak in English. (French, Spanish etc.)

Totally agree. And if English is a possibility, one should probably use it in game for the sake of ease of communication. Just like Canadians speak English ingame as of now, although in reality there are surely some French speaking soldiers as well. That is not to say that other languages should not be used, - but, as I just said, English would be preferred, if it is to benefit the gameplay. BF2: Euro Forces indeed has a pretty good compilation of voiceovers in English with accent, so maybe PR should use it for now, at least as some sort of placeholder for future modifications.

[ChiefRyza]

My idea was to use the EF voices.

Why ? Because, you can hear some differents accents when the soldiers speak in English. (French, Spanish etc.)

Mm, I think the most usable one from EU Forces is the French (Squad leader) but other than that using the other ones doesn't feel like they are from Africa. I don't think the ARF is going to be made up of British born scholars either.

As a placeholder for now, sure, but why not take the chance to record some original voices for the faction. I know it is a lot of work but surely it would pay off.

[Wakain]

Mm, I think the most usable one from EU Forces is the French (Squad leader) but other than that using the other ones doesn't feel like they are from Africa. I don't think the ARF is going to be made up of British born scholars either.

As a placeholder for now, sure, but why not take the chance to record some original voices for the faction. I know it is a lot of work but surely it would pay off.

I do believe it was proposed as a placeholder, I don't think it would be minded if someone created some top notch african accented voices

[Arc_Shielder]

I am in agreement of english with deep african accent would be the best pick (Nigeria being a good example). Is the most universal language, wether in the world or in PR community.

This is the portuguese within me, but if we're talking about a bilingual context then I don't see why my language should be casted aside.

[AfterDune]

Why would they talk English to each other? That doesn't make sense.


Edit: Perhaps I was wrong, English and French are common languages, though there are like 2000 spoken languages in Africa

[ChiefRyza]

Sweet revive

Right back at that question, if they are a unified army, why would they speak different languages to eachother? There are hundreds of African dialects, having English or French as a standard for such an army makes more sense than having seperate. Or are we expected to go out and record 10-20 different languages worth of voiceovers for individual units/divisions?

I have alot of confidence in Sgt Doctor getting the voiceovers in, and I'm still trying to organize small ads to bring in voice actors that can speak in a strong African accent (thus far to no adue )

[VapoMan]

If there is anyone with good recording equipment in Perth Western Australia, in my school there are lots of potential voice actors from Africa due to the many english learning classes. Not sure if they would be interested or how I would ask, since most dont understand english very well.

[Murphy]

I'd prefer if they were centered around a french dialect. Let's broaden the horizons, just because most of us understand/speak english doesn't mean we should have every faction speaking it. We have more then enough english v.o.s, I'd like to see possibly a Haitian voice actor, or at least someone speaking Creole.

[Mongolian_dude]

Give me a script and a $40 mic and ill show you voice acting


...mongol...

[dtacs]

Just use the French voices.

Honestly recording voices is a huge logistical operation, as shown when Tonnie recorded the ADF voices. Considering the ARF team is all over the world its going to be a huge challenge to keep things on the same playing field.

[Sgt_Doctor]

We could use the EU squad leader voice, who speaks in English with a bad accent (sort of French/Spanish accent). (vBF2 files, common client, sound, EU, SL, you need VLC.)

Or I agree to use the French voices.

We don't have any ressource to make some African voices.

[lucky.BOY]

I personnaly would prefer english/french voices with bad accent, and with few words from the other language (french/english) and/or from the african languages. i would also suggest giving officer the best pronounciation copared to other classes.

Just brainstorming

-lucky

[Wakain]

new voices are not really a priority, but if the opportunity arises I think it would be more than worth it, especially with this faction, given the unusual situation.