Win A Voice Acting Role for Mass Effect: Andromeda
By Curt Hutson 17 September 2016
BioWare holds an open casting call, asking fans to submit their voices for one of two minor roles in the upcoming space odyssey Mass Effect: Andromeda.
The world of Mass Effect is a vibrant, fascinating place filled with unique beings and ancient mysteries. It’s a world rife for exploration and adventure. It’s a world all fans wish they could visit one day, and the series’ popularity stems from those strong desires. While the reality is that fans will never be able to take a joyride on the Normandy or meet an Asari, BioWare has devised a way to come pretty close. The “Explorer’s Wanted” contest asks normal, everyday gamers to submit their voices for a chance to win a role in Mass Effect: Andromeda.
The rules are simple: Download one of the scripts provided, record oneself while reading the lines, then submit them to the email provided. Both video and audio recording is acceptable, but BioWare is asking people to refrain from goofy accents, costumes, musical accompaniment, and sound effects. BioWare wants submissions of natural voices with no distractions so they can better get a feel for it. Any submissions for the Mass Effect: Andromeda role with too much flair will be rejected outright.
If you want to be a little more dramatic, feel free—just remember that your entry will be judged on the quality of your voice performance and how well it matches the Mass Effect style.
For a quirkier, more entertaining rundown of the contest check out the trailer.
The characters to choose from are either Jordan Tate and/or the Tough Mercenary. Jordan Tate is described as “a smart and talented indie documentarian eager to give the real perspective on life in Andromeda.” The Tough Mercenary, on the other hand, is one of two mercenaries discussing “some of the difficulties of living on the frontier and being pioneers in a new world.” BioWare has explicitly stated both are gender-neutral.
The contest is running from September 12 until September 28 at 6:59 AM GMT, at which point BioWare will begin poring over what is likely to be a mountain of submissions. The potential winner will be notified around November 30, the winner will be flown to a recording studio and put up in a hotel for two nights while they record their lines in a professional session.
It’s hard to tell in what context each of these roles are playing out because so very little is known about Mass Effect: Andromeda, but it has been confirmed the two protagonists are siblings. One of them could be the person interacting with the characters in these scripts.
All we know for sure is this game will be different from the original Mass Effect trilogy. One example is the move away from the traditional paragon/renegade morality systems. Another big change is the ending of Mass Effect 3, which will be largely glossed over, if mentioned at all.
A little bit of the game was shown a week ago in a short clip presented at the PlayStation event. However, a lot more will be revealed when the first official trailer drops on November 7, for N7 day.
This contest is a very exciting opportunity for those who love the game and want to be a permanent part of the Mass Effect universe. It’s also a great way for anyone interested in the world of voice acting to get their foot in the door. A role, though minor, on a high-profile game like this will look good on any resume. Plus, there will be bragging rights.
Mass Effect: Andromeda is scheduled for release sometime in Q1 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Source: BioWare
