How Can You Be A Voice Over For Rts Games

To become a voice over for RTS games, you need to develop a versatile vocal range, create a compelling demo reel showcasing RTS-style characters, and actively seek out game development studios or voice acting agencies.

Ever wondered how characters in your favorite real-time strategy games sound so commanding or quirky? Many aspire to fill those shoes, and we get asked often, so today we’re talking about exactly how can you be a voice over for rts games.

The path involves building essential skills and actively promoting yourself to potential clients in the gaming industry. It’s an interesting career choice that requires dedication and talent to succeed. Let’s dive into the key steps you should take if you’re thinking about becoming a voice artist for these exciting video games.

How Can You Be a Voice Over for RTS Games?

Want to be the voice behind those epic battles in your favorite real-time strategy (RTS) games? It’s an exciting field, but getting started takes a bit of work and planning. Think of it like building your own army—you need the right skills, training, and a solid strategy! Let’s explore how you can become a voice actor for RTS games.

Understanding the RTS Game Voice Over Landscape

Before you jump in, it’s important to understand what makes a good voice over for an RTS game. These games often require a range of voices. You might need to be a gruff commander, a sneaky spy, or even a quirky, lighthearted unit. It’s not just about having a good voice; it’s about how you use it. Here are some common voice types you’ll encounter:

The Leader: Think deep, resonant voices that inspire and command. They have a sense of authority.
The Soldier: Voices that are tough, gritty, and ready for action. They often sound battle-worn and determined.
The Scientist/Engineer: Smart, sometimes quirky voices that are often calm and precise.
The Mysterious One: Voices that are often soft, whispery, or have an intriguing tone.
The Lighthearted Unit: Voices that are fun, silly, and often used for humorous characters.

RTS game voice acting is not always just about characters. You’ll often need to provide voices for announcements, such as:

“Your base is under attack!”
“Unit ready!”
“Research complete!”
“New technology available.”

These announcements must be clear and easy to understand, often with a sense of urgency. The tone should fit the game’s atmosphere.

Why is Voice Over Important in RTS Games?

Voice acting is extremely important in RTS games because it helps with immersion. It makes the game feel more real and engaging. Imagine playing a war game with no sound, how it won’t feel real? Voice over breathes life into the characters and world in RTS games. Well-done voices help to create memorable characters and create emotional connections with the players. When you listen to a character voice, you will have a sense of that character in mind, how it looks or what type of background that character has. It enhances the gaming experience overall.

Building Your Voice Acting Skills

Now that we know what’s needed, let’s look at how to build those skills. Just like a soldier trains for battle, you’ll need to train your voice:

Vocal Exercises

Warm-ups: Start every practice with warm-ups. Think of humming, lip trills (“brrr”), and tongue twisters. These help loosen up your vocal cords and prepare them for speaking.
Breathing Exercises: Proper breathing is the foundation of good voice work. Practice breathing deeply from your diaphragm (your belly). Try holding your breath, then slowly letting it out.
Articulation Practice: Clear speaking is key. Focus on how you pronounce each word, especially consonants. Tongue twisters are great for this! Try saying “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” fast and clearly.
Vocal Range Exercises: Practice speaking in different pitches, from low and rumbling to high and squeaky. You need to be able to change your voice easily.

Character Voice Development

This is where the fun begins! Don’t just read lines; act them out. Try these techniques:

Imitate: Listen to voices in your favorite games, movies, and TV shows. Try to copy them. Don’t just copy the voice, think about how that character behaves and try to copy that also.
Experiment: Try different accents, ages, and personalities. You might find a unique voice you didn’t know you had.
Create Backstories: When you’re practicing a character, think about their life, their experiences, and what makes them who they are. This will help you create a more believable voice.

Acting Skills

Voice acting is not just reading; it’s acting with your voice. You need to convey emotions, like anger, happiness, sadness, fear, excitement, surprise, and others. Practice expressing these emotions using only your voice.

Setting Up Your Home Studio

In today’s world, many voice actors work from home. You will need a suitable setup.

Essential Equipment

Don’t worry; you don’t need the most expensive gear to start. These items will be enough:

Microphone: A USB microphone is a good starting point. Look for one that captures clear sound without much background noise.
Headphones: Closed-back headphones will help you monitor your recording and prevent sound from leaking into your mic.
Pop Filter: This helps to stop those harsh “p” and “b” sounds.
Microphone Stand: This will help you keep your microphone in the correct spot.
Quiet Recording Space: You need a place with as little echo and background noise as possible. A closet with clothes is a great start.
Audio Recording Software (DAW): You will need software to record and edit your voice. Audacity is a free option to start. Other options include Reaper and Adobe Audition.

Creating a Soundproof Space

Even a simple space can be turned into a soundproof recording area with a few steps:

Use Soft Materials: Cover walls with blankets, thick curtains, or foam panels. Soft materials absorb sound.
Close Windows and Doors: This keeps out external noise.
Use a Microphone Isolation Shield: This helps reduce echoes and background noises that your microphone picks up.

Creating a Demo Reel

Your demo reel is like your resume for voice acting. It shows potential clients what you can do.

What to Include

Variety: Include a few different character voices, showing your range. You should have at least two, but more is better.
RTS Specific: Be sure to include sounds that would be heard in RTS games. Examples include soldier, commander, scientist, magical units, and common announcements.
Quality: Make sure the audio quality is top-notch. Bad audio can ruin even the best performances.
Short and Sweet: Keep your demo reel short—one or two minutes is plenty.

Editing Your Demo

Here are some tips to make your demo professional:

Clean Audio: Remove any background noises, clicks, and pops.
Sound Effects (Optional): Adding some subtle sound effects can enhance your performance if appropriate for your demo.
Clear Transitions: Make the transitions between your voices smooth and seamless.

Finding Voice Over Jobs in the RTS Game Industry

Now comes the most challenging part, finding the opportunities to get involved in RTS game voice overs.

Online Platforms

There are many places where you can find voice acting opportunities:

Voice Over Marketplaces: Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Voices.com are good starting points.
Game Development Forums: Many game developers look for voice actors on forums related to game creation. Participate in these forums and try to interact with developers.
Social Media: Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. Build connections with people in the industry.
Indie Game Websites: Websites that focus on indie games often have job listings.

Networking

Networking is the key to growth. Try these methods to network:

Attend Game Conventions: Participate in game conventions where you can meet developers and industry professionals.
Join Voice Acting Communities: Online and offline communities are great places to learn and make contacts.
Collaborate: Collaborate with other voice actors and audio professionals.

Direct Outreach

You can research small or indie game developers. Reach them directly and send them a copy of your demo reel.

Tips for Auditions and Recording Sessions

Once you start getting auditions, here’s what you should keep in mind:

Auditioning

Follow Instructions: Carefully read the audition directions, and follow them exactly.
Be Professional: Be polite, respectful, and easy to work with.
Practice: Practice a few times before recording.
Record multiple versions: Record multiple takes with different tones so that the clients have choices to choose.

Recording Sessions

Stay Hydrated: Drink water to keep your voice clear.
Take Breaks: Don’t strain your voice. Short breaks can improve your performance.
Be Open to Feedback: Be willing to take direction and make changes if asked.

Pricing Your Voice Over Services

Deciding how much to charge can be tricky. Here are some guidelines:

Factors to Consider

Experience: If you are a beginner, consider lower rates.
Project Size: Larger projects will generally cost more.
Usage Rights: Decide the usage of the audio. Will the audio be used only for in-game or for marketing also?
Complexity: If the project requires complex voices and lots of recordings, charge accordingly.

Rates

Per Word: Some charge a certain amount per word. This rate can vary from a few cents to more than $1 depending on the project.
Per Hour: Others charge an hourly rate. The standard range can be around $25 to $100 per hour for beginners.
Per Project: You can charge a flat fee for the project. Always try to have a complete estimate of the work before quoting a price.

Do some research on similar projects so that you can set a competitive and reasonable price. Never underprice yourself.

Becoming a voice actor for RTS games is a journey, not a sprint. It takes time, effort, and a passion for both voice acting and gaming. With the right training, preparation, and persistence, you can achieve your goals and lend your unique voice to the games we all love.

Realism in RTS, Strategy and Gaming, and the importance of it

Final Thoughts

To be a voice over for RTS games, you must first create a quality demo reel. This should display your ability to portray various character types effectively. Network actively with game developers and voice acting communities to find opportunities.

Practice different character voices and improve your vocal range. Consider taking voice acting courses to sharpen your skills. Persistence and continuous learning are the keys to success.

So, how can you be a voice over for RTS games? The key is to have a strong demo, network well, and constantly work on improving your craft.