The Witcher Voice Actor Doug Cockle Talks Geralt, AI, and the Future of the Franchise đź
Doug Cockle, the voice actor for Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, has lent his voice to the character for almost twenty years, and will soon be expanding his roles beyond video games as he voices the White Wolf in the upcoming Netflix film Sirens of the Deep.
Geralt of Rivia’s voice actor, Doug Cockle, talks about future Witcher games, his Netflix film, AI, and more in an interview with GameTopic.
Are you a fan of The Witcher series? If so, youâre probably familiar with Doug Cockle, the incredible voice actor who brings Geralt of Rivia to life. In a recent interview, Cockle opened up about his experience voicing Geralt for nearly two decades, as well as his thoughts on the future of the franchise and the rise of artificial intelligence in gaming. Letâs dive into the fascinating world of Geralt and see what Cockle had to say!
From Unknown Hero to Household Name đ
When Cockle first stepped into the recording booth to voice Geralt, little did he know the journey that awaited him. The Witcher series was relatively unknown at the time, with the books only popular among Polish and Eastern European readers. But as the games gained traction and the world of Geralt expanded, Cockleâs role became more significant than he ever imagined.
âIt has been a blessing, really,â Cockle expressed. âThe joy of it has been the journey. When The Witcher video game first started, it was a no-name developer making their first game. The Witcher wasnât really known beyond Poland. I was just living my day-to-day life, teaching students, managing the course, doing all those things that you do⊠And then suddenly a journalist came and said, âHey, can I come talk to you?â It was that person who actually kind of clued me in on how big The Witcher was getting. I just didnât have any idea.â
Doubling Down on Geralt: The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep đ„
As if voicing Geralt for the games wasnât enough, Cockle recently took on another exciting project linked to the franchise. He will be voicing Geralt in the upcoming animated film, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix. Cockle admitted that he was pleasantly surprised when he got the call for the role, especially since he had no prior association with Netflix.
âI was fully expecting somebody else to be doing that,â Cockle shared. âWhen I got the call, âAre you interested in voicing Geralt in the Netflix Witcher anime?â I was like, âYeah!ââ
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Cockle has already recorded extensively for the film, and while he is unsure if more work will be required, he is excited to see the final product. As for the story itself, Cockle couldnât divulge much, but he did mention that it is based on the story âA Little Sacrificeâ and encourages fans to read up on it.
Recording for Animation vs. Games đïž
When discussing the differences between recording for the games and the animated film, Cockle mentioned that for the games, the recording process is non-linear due to the branching narrative. He never knows which dialogue options or storylines he will be recording on a given day. However, for the animated film, Cockle had access to the entire script and recorded it in order, providing a unique experience.
âOne of the things I found really fascinating about it was the effort to get my head around Mer-speak,â Cockle revealed. âThat was difficult. I could almost hear in the directorâs voice when he said, âOkay, Doug, that was good. Now, letâs try that again and letâs think about this.â I realized that Iâm not hitting it. Whatever it is theyâre looking for, Iâm not getting it.â
As an actor, Cockle always strives for a truthful response, something that the audience can relate to. Adapting Geraltâs voice to the sing-songy quality of the Merfolk proved to be quite the challenge, but he canât wait to see the final result.
The Witcher Remake, Polaris, and the Future of the Franchise đź
With rumors swirling about The Witcher Remake, codenamed Polaris, fans are eager to know if Geralt will continue to be a part of the evolving narrative. Cockle made it clear that he would love to keep voicing Geralt for as long as he can, as the character has become an integral part of his life. He expressed his gratitude for CD Projekt, the developer behind The Witcher series, and praised their kindness and support throughout the years.
When it comes to the future of the franchise, Cockle shared some intriguing theories. One possibility is that the next mainline Witcher game will focus on Geraltâs adoptive daughter, Ciri, showcasing her adventures in different dimensions and worlds. Another theory suggests that the game might explore the origins of the Witcher schools, potentially delving into a Witcherâs story from the Lynx School.
âI have no idea,â Cockle admitted. âIâm excited to find out. Itâs going to be a whole other thing because the technology has changed so much. I understand that theyâre going to be recreating it in Unreal Engine 5, and thatâs going to be really exciting.â
AI in Gaming: The Double-Edged Sword âïž
Navigating the topic of artificial intelligence in gaming, Cockle admitted that it is an inevitable development. He recounted being approached by an AI company three years ago, requesting to put his Geralt voice on their database. While Cockle declined the offer, he acknowledged that voices of voice actors are being used without their consent, which raises ethical concerns.
âPeople are ripping our voices off,â Cockle lamented. âThatâs happening. Itâs happened to me on multiple occasions⊠Every time somebody does that, theyâre effectively robbing me of income. Whatâs really dangerous is that if they can use AI for something commercially questionable, they can use it for something politically or ethically bad.â
Cockle emphasized that it is not AI itself that poses a problem but the people who use it improperly. However, he is hopeful that solutions can be found. He mentioned voice actress Cissy Jones, who is developing her own AI company to empower voice actors and give them more control over their voicesâ usage.
Wrapping Up with a Touch of Humor đ
To end the interview on a lighter note, Cockle was asked if he had a favorite line of Geraltâs. While he couldnât pinpoint a single line, he mentioned the timeless classics like âwindâs howlingâ and âlooks like rain.â But what really stood out to him were the moments when Geralt displayed his humorous side, like chasing Princess the Goat or attempting to catch pigs, adding unexpected levity to the game.
In conclusion, Doug Cockleâs portrayal of Geralt has won the hearts of fans worldwide, and his insights into the franchise and the gaming industry provide valuable food for thought. Whether itâs his personal journey as Geralt or his thoughts on AI, Cockleâs perspective offers a unique glimpse into the world of voice acting and gaming.
Reference List:
- The Witcher Voice Actor Doug Cockle Calls AI âInevitable and Dangerousâ – GameTopic
- Ghibli Gifts Galore: 16 Must-Read Books for Studio Ghibli Enthusiasts – Qurz
- 8 Journey-Centric Games: Find Adventure in Every Step – GameTopic
- Minecraft Player Spends a Year Recreating âFree Birdâ In-Game – Qurz
- Xbox Chief Phil Spencer Displays Level 100 Diablo 4 Druid Build – Loong Game
- Lost Odyssey: Shadows of Destiny One-Shot Set: Avatar Legends Voice Actors Aang, Toph – Qurz
- 10 Games That Are Basically Interactive Toys – Loong Game
- Elevate the Dune Collection: 12 Best Merch Ideas for Dune Enthusiasts – Qurz
As always, feel free to share your favorite Geralt moments and theories about the future of The Witcher franchise! And donât forget to stay tuned for the release of The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix! đ
đź What is your favorite quote from Geralt? Share it in the comments below! đŁïž
