Fall in love with your favourite video games all over again.
In this very first episode of TheReadyAimFire Podcast, hosts Tom Stacey and Kezia Burrows introduce the show and share why they’re bringing the incredible people behind our favourite games — actors, directors, developers and creatives — into the spotlight.
🎙️ In this episode:
🔸 What TheReadyAimFire Podcast is all about
🔸 Why storytelling, performance, and creativity deserve more attention in gaming
🔸 Kez’s journey in Alien: Isolation — and why strong female leads matter
🔸 Tom’s adventures producing games content around the world
🔸 Dream guests (yes, Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis make the list)
🔸 Why the games industry, places like BAFTA Games and this podcast are about building community.
Whether you’re a die-hard gamer or just beginning your gaming journey, this podcast is for you: a place to learn, laugh, and meet the creatives shaping the stories you play.
The Space Marine You Can Hear Scream – Warhammer, Welsh Kings and Sentient Mushrooms with Michael Geary
Season 1 · Episode 2
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 • Duration 01:00:31
How does a theatre-trained actor with Welsh roots become one of gaming’s most compelling voices?
In this episode of The ReadyAimFire Podcast, hosts Tom Stacey and Kezia Burrows welcome Michael Geary, voice of Warhammer 40,000’s iconic Space Marines and many more.
Michael takes us from stage to studio, sharing the art and chaos of recording powerful characters at home (with a makeshift duvet booth and occasionally anxious neighbours), the joy of playing everything from sentient mushrooms to mighty heroes, and why authenticity, inclusion and fun are central to a great performance.
You’ll hear:
What it’s really like to voice epic game roles – and why even orcs sometimes sound Welsh
The technical and emotional craft behind world-class voice acting
Candid reflections on building a creative life in games, and the importance of mentorship and play
The time Michael almost threw up in the booth – and it made the game!
"You can literally play any character… It’s a democratising process, being a voice actor." – Michael Geary
It’s not just about the games – it’s about the people who shape them. Join us for this warm, witty, and inspiring episode.
🧭 Key Points & Timestamps:
00:02:23 – Stumbling into voiceover – advice that changed everything
00:03:04 – DIY home studio – and warning the neighbours
00:05:12 – Why voice acting is “democratizing” for performers
00:06:49 – The struggle and pride of voicing Welsh characters in games
00:09:42 – From theatre to games: Breaking down old stigmas
00:10:39 – How games lead inclusion in entertainment
00:12:01 – Teaching audio: letting actors “play” with their limits
👤 Guest Info:🔗 Resources & Mentions:💬 Quotes:🔗 📱
The Warrior Behind Lae’zel – Devora Wilde on Baldur’s Gate 3, Polarising Player Reactions and Unexpected Fame
Season 1 · Episode 1
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 • Duration 52:31
What does it take to give a video game character a soul – and what happens when that performance touches hearts around the world?
In this premiere episode of ReadyAimFire, we sit down with Devora Wilde, the actor behind Lae’zel in the award-winning Baldur’s Gate 3, for an in-depth conversation into her craft and her most beloved character. From muddling through technical challenges to discovering her own voice, Devora opens up about the wild, unpredictable, and deeply human ride of bringing one of gaming’s most complex companions to life.
Discover how four and a half years behind the mic – and a self-tape filmed in a living room – led to one of gaming’s most polarising, unforgettable heroines.
Hear the true impact of storytelling as Devora shares how fans’ lives have been changed, sometimes “more than years of therapy,” by the journey of her character.
Get an unfiltered look at performance capture, improvisation, and collaborating through unexpected personal moments (including recording days before giving birth!).
"Sometimes I feel like I just went in and said the words… and then to have people so passionate about these characters—it’s kind of blown my mind." - Devora Wilde
Settle in and hit play. This is The ReadyAimFire Podcast, bringing you the stories behind your favourite games, from the people who make them.
🧭 Key Points & Timestamps:
00:00:22 – Guest reactions: Not knowing about nudity filters
00:02:30 – Explaining Baldur’s Gate 3 in one sentence
00:03:32 – How Lae’zel is misunderstood – Devora’s emotional lens
00:04:57 – Polarised player reactions to Lae’zel
00:08:10 – Four and a half years of performance capture
00:11:20 – Surprise: Voice actors for talking cats
00:16:43 – Finding fulfilment in games vs. TV/film
👤 Guest: Devora Wilde🔗 Resources & Mentions:🔗 📱
Wisdom from The Witcher – Becoming Geralt, Fan Tattoos and Dungeons & Dragons with Doug Cockle
Season 1 · Episode 4
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 • Duration 55:01
How did one of gaming’s iconic voices get – and nearly lose – his big break as Geralt of Rivia in the Witcher series?
In this episode, hosts Kezia Burrows and Tom Stacey are joined by none other than Doug Cockle. Doug takes us behind the scenes of his journey as the legendary Witcher, shares the inspiration behind Geralt’s voice, and reveals the biggest changes he’s witnessed in the games industry over the past two decades.
We also delve into Doug’s personal experiences at games conventions (alongside a fan tattoo story you won’t forget), his love of Dungeons & Dragons, and how a chance networking event landed him a role as the god Bhaal in Baldur’s Gate 3. Doug reflects on his time teaching acting, the philosophy behind bringing truth to a character, and even lets slip a few lines as Geralt - including a personal message for Tom. Plus, hear about Doug’s latest adventures with the Natural Six D&D livestream and which Witcher sign he’d pick in real life.
You’ll hear:
How persistence (and not taking rejection personally) kept Doug in the role of Geralt
Doug’s humorous pitches for cameos in the Witcher Netflix series and Cyberpunk 2077
Doug’s latest project, Natural Six, a DND series featuring fellow games talent Ben Starr, Harry McEntire, Aoife Wilson, Hollie Bennett and Alex Jordan
Career advice and inspiration for young actors and games professionals.
“You have to put a little piece of yourself into it because if you don't, how are you going to find the truth of the character?” – Doug Cockle
Whether you’re a Witcher superfan or just fascinated by the craft of voice acting, this episode is packed with insights and candid stories from one of gaming’s most beloved voices.
🧭 Timestamps:
00:03:26 – Auditioning for Geralt: ”Make my day”
00:04:20 – Courage pays off: when CD Projekt Red tried to re-cast Geralt!
👤 Guest Info:🔗 Resources & Mentions:💬 Quotes:
When Directing for Games Gets Intense – Damien Goodwin on Directing for Returnal, Greedfall, Helldivers 2 and more
Season 1 · Episode 3
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 • Duration 50:28
How does someone go from directing Hollyoaks on TV – to directing a BAFTA award-winning games performance in Returnal?
In this episode of the ReadyAimFire Podcast, Damien Goodwin joins hosts Kezia Burrows and Tom Stacey to dive deep into the craft of performance direction in video games.
Damien shares how his journey unexpectedly shifted from actor and TV director to working on high profile video game titles like Dragon Age: Inquisition, Greedfall, Helldivers 2, and Returnal. The conversation spans chance industry encounters, the evolving nature of game performance, and the increasingly important role of collaborative, actor-centric direction in delivering nuanced, emotionally compelling game narratives.
You’ll hear:
How a chance encounter on a train got Damien his break in video games
Insights on the collaboration between director, actor and development team in building a character
What it was like directing Returnal, including the intense emotional weight handled by lead actor Jane Perry
Advice for aspiring games performance directors.
“No two games are the same in a lot of ways. Your process evolves according to the content that you’re working on.” – Damien Goodwin
Whether you’re a fan of heartfelt games performances or curious about breaking into game direction yourself, join us for this insightful episode.
🧭 Key Points & Timestamps:
00:01:59 – From TV to gaming: Damien’s fortuitous path into the industry
00:05:13 – Directing performance–and the essentials of collaboration
00:08:01 – The shared language of actors
00:11:00 – Actors taking ownership–the created language in Greedfall
00:16:05 – Enhancing storytelling where player choice is crucial
00:18:27 – How seamless gameplay and cinematics affect performance
👤 Guest Info:🔗 Resources & Mentions:💬 Quotes:🎧 Check Out More ReadyAimFire Episodes:🔗 📱
From Prague With Love – Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Unfiltered, with Tom McKay & Luke Dale
Season 1 · Episode 5
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 • Duration 52:14
What’s it like to be taken on a hero’s journey – from relative unknowns to gaming royalty?
In this episode of the ReadyAimFire Podcast, we’re joined by Tom McKay and Luke Dale: the voices and faces behind Henry of Skalitz and Hans Capon in Kingdom Come: Deliverance and its highly anticipated sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
Together with hosts Tom Stacey and Kezia Burrows, Tom and Luke peel back the curtain on what happens when a passionate studio, a committed fanbase and a host of talented creatives combine to create medieval gaming magic.
You’ll hear:
How Tom and Luke went from ‘mystery’ workshop auditions to embodying iconic roles, including the anxiety of “signing away your face”
Stories behind the creation of memorable moments: from precision apple-shooting to not-so-precise hand cannons
The camaraderie that comes from working almost a decade with a studio that treats everyone like family
The craft behind KCD2’s evolutionary performance capture – and the comic relief of fighting epic battles with foam swords.
“I've never worked with people for this long… Prague and that studio and obviously this game and these characters genuinely have… a really special place in my heart. And that's not PR speak. That's the truth.” - Tom McKay
Whether you’re already a Kingdom Come: Deliverance fan or just curious about the creative chaos behind a blockbuster game, this episode dives deep into the process – with some good laughs along the way. Enjoy!
🧭 Timestamps:
00:00:46 – How Tom and Luke landed their first game auditions
00:03:38 – Giving actors creative input on character development
00:07:38 – Being flown to Prague for a game audition
00:11:26 – Why Warhorse’s commitment stands out in the industry
👤 Guest Info:🔗 Resources & Mentions:💬 Quotes:🎧 Check Out More ReadyAimFire Episodes:🔗 📱
How Baldur’s Gate Broke Through – Kirsty Gillmore on Empathy, Safe Spaces and Directing Magic in the Studio
Season 1 · Episode 6
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 • Duration 46:56
How do you combine the technical disciplines of music, theatre and video games – to help create immersive experiences like Baldur’s Gate 3 that not only thrill, but truly move us?
In this episode of ReadyAimFire, join hosts Kezia Burrows and Tom Stacey as they sit down with Kirsty Gillmore: New Zealand-born sound engineer turned acclaimed voice and performance director for some of the industry’s most celebrated titles, including Call of Duty, Valorant and The First Descendant. Discover the winding creative path that led Kirsty from acting and post-production to shaping unforgettable characters and championing emotional safety on set.
You’ll hear:
Kirsty's personal tips for crafting great performances: from trusting her actors to the essential question that can transform a session
The challenges of directing games over a process of sometimes years, from handling developer disagreements to last-minute character additions
Kirsty’s journey from games industry newbie to BAFTA Breakthrough
Honest reflections on creating safe spaces, advocating for representation, and knowing when to walk away from a project.
"I want my actors to feel safe physically and I want them to feel safe emotionally as well. Because…safe actors and happy actors will do better work. That’s just a thing, isn’t it?" - Kirsty Gillmore
Whether you’re a fan of Baldur’s Gate 3 – or a gamer, actor or director interested in the craft behind great games performances, this episode is as heartfelt and honest as it is insightful. Jump on in and press play.
🧭 Timestamps:
00:00:41 – Kirsty’s leap from New Zealand to UK games
00:02:56 – Discovering game direction as a career path
00:04:36 – Kirsty’s advice: immerse yourself, learn from workshops
00:05:42 – How her sound background shapes directing style
00:08:56 – Creating safety for actors in mocap volumes
👤 Guest Info:🔗 Resources & Mentions:💬 Quotes:🎧 Check Out More ReadyAimFire Episodes:🔗 📱
Artistry and Antics on Final Fantasy XVI – with Hannah Price, Oli Chance, Morgan Rushton & Martin Vaughan
Season 1 · Episode 7
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 • Duration 54:55
Ever wondered what goes on inside the studio for one the most acclaimed game series of all time?
In this episode of the ReadyAimFire Podcast, hosts Kez and Tom welcome an extraordinary panel featuring the performance directors, casting directors and localisation experts whose fingerprints are all over Final Fantasy XVI, Alan Wake II, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and many more beloved games: Hannah Price, Oli Chance, Morgan Rushton and Martin Vaughan.
Dive with us into translation trials, performance tribulations and endless T poses, as our guests reveal what really happens when scripts are top secret, the pressure is high, and the gaming magic that fans demand has to make it to the screen.
You’ll hear:
About dramatic graveside scenes with Ben Starr that had directors literally crying in the studio – and they almost didn’t shoot them
How Kez had to snog – with a mocap camera strapped to her face! (Imagine forgetting how to kiss, live on set!)
The time Martin had to cast a character described as “Rebel Wilson, Kanye West, and Cristiano Ronaldo, all in one”
How performance direction and localisation aren’t just technical roles, but creative, deeply personal crafts, turning even awkward technicalities (like the interruptions of endless T poses) into breakthrough moments.
“That's kind of the most magical thing somebody can do, is be in that room in that stupid suit and then give a heartbreaking performance” - Oli Chance
From unscripted laughter to bonding over onion rings, this is the emotion, the mess, and the beauty of storytelling in games. Settle back, press play, and enjoy!
🧭 Timestamps:
00:01:07 – Introducing the performance team behind Final Fantasy XVI
00:03:12 – RADA, BAFTA, and “onion rings on a spike” - forging industry friendships
00:05:40 – From theatre to games: Hannah’s transition and juggling specificity
🔗
You’re Becoming Hysterical – Inside Alien: Isolation with Will Porter & Anthony Howell
Season 1 · Episode 8
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 • Duration 47:04
What goes down when several creators of a cult classic finally step into the same room – over a decade on from shaping one of gaming’s most terrifying sci-fi experiences?
In this special episode of ReadyAimFire, we welcome Anthony Howell and Will Porter, two pivotal forces behind Alien: Isolation alongside our very own Kez, who provided the likeness and performance capture for Amanda Ripley. From the chaos of early table reads to alchemy inside the studio, together they reminisce over the creative process that redefined survival horror – and the Alien franchise itself.
You’ll hear:
The cast’s first rehearsal felt like “table read for a film”, a rarity in video games, with the entire script in hand before anything was shot
Will Porter landed his writing gig after showing a game demo in a pub. He never planned to stay, but became “part of the furniture” for a year and a half
How Samuel’s iconic “can we see it?” line became a personal favourite of the writing team, living rent-free in their vocabulary
Kez’s face was scanned for Amanda Ripley, before months later she had to return – just to have her ears scanned!
Anthony Howell was gifted a handmade Samuels Christmas ornament by a fan, and proudly hangs it on his tree every year.
“The thrill of being part of that franchise was definitely there because it's iconic, it's a huge thing. It was more excitement than nerves.” – Anthony Howell
Whether you’re new to the original, or a superfan whetting your appetite for the upcoming Alien: Isolation 2 – this episode’s a timely trip down memory lane, and an insight into the creation of a gaming classic.
🧭 Timestamps:
00:00:28 - Alien: Isolation “reunion” – meeting again after over 10 years
00:02:38 - Anthony Howell’s surprise: only his second game job
00:03:18 - How games were uncharted territory for many UK actors
00:05:41 - Project Zomboid’s unique vision and unexpected cult following
Becoming Amicia – Charlotte McBurney on A Plague Tale, Final Fantasy and more
Season 1 · Episode 9
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 • Duration 01:00:27
After a childhood spent backstage at the opera, what’s it like to find yourself voicing one of gaming’s most unforgettable heroines?
This episode, ReadyAimFire welcomes Charlotte McBurney, the BAFTA-nominated actor behind Amicia de Rune in A Plague Tale: Innocence and A Plague Tale: Requiem, and young Jill in Final Fantasy XVI. From a whirlwind of a creative upbringing to stepping into roles that challenge heart and soul, Charlotte takes us through her journey so far, with some hilarious anecdotes and revealing insights.
You’ll hear:
How Charlotte grew up backstage at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and once ‘kidnapped’ a lollipop lady off the street to perform her own version of The Nutcracker
How the Requiem script was written with Charlotte in mind, after the devs saw what she could do in the first game
What Charlotte really thinks about Amicia’s signature slingshot kills
Why she believes actors who truly love games change the medium from within.
“I feel very, very deeply connected to Amicia. It's my first character that I ever got to play professionally. We sort of grew up together.” Charlotte McBurney
If you’re curious as to how a theatrical family pedigree, late-night dinner debates with Yo-Yo Ma, and sheer creative audacity combine to shape one of gaming’s most unforgettable heroines, this episode is for you.
🧭 Timestamps:
00:00:00 – Introduction to acting: enchanted by the opera stage
00:05:05 – Theatre's timeless influence on gaming
00:06:36 – Voice acting: the craft of amplifying expressions
00:10:12 – Charlotte’s first experience: learning on the job
00:15:44 – The emotional toll of voice acting
00:17:09 – A script that brought her to tears: A Plague Tale’s incredible writing
🔗
00:13:55 – Looking after your voice: honest truths and practical tips
00:15:52 – How a theatre background shapes games performance
00:18:02 – Accidental practice: cold-reading from “sales” and shop signs
00:21:00 – LAN parties, Left 4 Dead, and gaming socials
00:28:43 – Finding characters – turning breakdowns into monologues
00:31:01 – The madness of Warhammer 40K, explained in a minute
00:33:37 – Warhammer audiobooks: big, weird words and lore obsession
00:47:12 – AI in games: what can (and can’t) be replaced?
Michael Geary is a seasoned actor with a background in theatre, film and TV, and AAA games. His work includes Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, Total War: Warhammer III, and numerous roles spanning other franchises. He also teaches and mentors actors in how to use their bodies and voices as tools of authentic performance.
“The orcs are having a great time going to war. I mean, the orcs are essentially sentient mushrooms, which I love.”
– Michael Geary
“It can be very exposing for actors. Just you and the mic. There's nothing else to hide behind. And I love that because you've really got to start playing.”
00:49:10 – Players tell Devora: “Lae’zel helped more than years of therapy”
Devora Wilde is an actor celebrated for her powerful and nuanced performances. She is best known to gamers as the voice and performance actor behind Lae’zel in Baldur’s Gate 3, delivering a bold, layered portrayal that helped shape one of the game’s most iconic characters. Beyond BG3, her work includes appearances in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom LIberty, Split Fiction and Dragon’s Dogma II, as well as a diverse range of TV and film roles.
“I'd never played video games and I'd never been in one. So I didn't really know what to expect. And then I was just blown away, reading these lines that Lae'zel says. And I was like: this is so powerful. It's almost Shakespearean.”
— Devora Wilde
“Somebody came up to me and they said, Lae'zel has helped me by playing this game more than years of therapy has helped me because of the things that I've experienced that are similar to her story. And I'm just gobsmacked by that. That's the power of video games. It's incredible to me, the good it can do.”
00:08:13 – Where’s Doug? Cameos that never were #1: Netflix’s The Witcher
00:09:54 – Doug’s first part – and the role of improvisation in acting for games
00:13:30 – Changes in the industry
00:15:19 – Cameos that never were #2: Cyberpunk 2077
00:17:51 – Roach on the roof (again), a glitch in the Matrix?
00:22:32 – Directing stage – an apprenticeship for actors
00:24:25 – Recording branched dialogue, voice for player choice
00:26:14 – Alan Wake 2 – Nightingale goes nude
00:29:34 – Ego in acting – disaster on the set of Marvel’s Captain America
00:33:57 – Acting: integrating yourself to find truth
00:37:35 – Using an actor’s toolbox
00:42:48 – Learning through teaching
00:45:32 – From a BAFTA Games social to Baldur's Gate 3 (thanks to Neil Newbon!)
00:50:01 – Natural Six: behind Doug and the gang’s Kickstarter-funded D&D show
Doug Cockle is known for hisvoice-over roles invideogames, most notably Geralt of Rivia inThe Witcher series. He was nominated for aGame Award for Best Performance and wonGolden Joystick Award Best Gaming Performance for his portrayal of Geralt inThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
"Actors are riddled with doubt and fear and all kinds of things. And, you know, a big part of the job is actually to overcome that."
– Doug Cockle
“He texted me later that day with a picture of his brand new tattoo, and he had Geralt's face and my signature right underneath...
00:22:10 – Character development takes time: protecting the actor
00:27:07 – Researching for projects (when you’re not a great gamer!)
00:29:08 – Directing VR – surprising casting for PlayStation’s The London Heist
00:31:44 – Returnal: an intense journey of discovery
00:35:58 – The impact of games marketing and social media
00:39:12 – Innovative studios and exciting directing
00:42:35 – Tech and coding: knowing what you don’t know
00:44:53 – Adaptability, the director’s secret weapon
00:48:00 – Experiencing the satire of Helldivers 2
Damien Goodwin is a film, television and cinematic performance capture and voice director for games. He has worked on many award-winning video games and TV series. Recent games include Helldivers 2, Star Wars Outlaws, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden and Returnal, which won Best Performance BAFTA for Jane Perry in 2022.
“You work with the actors, sort of detectives together, unravelling the nuances and context and trying to perform the line or the scene as authentically as possible.”
– Damien Goodwin
“The interesting thing about VR and AR and all these sorts of mixed realities is that you're still really uncovering the vocabulary of those and effective storytelling within them.”
00:18:24 – Favorite day working on Kingdom Come—emotional highs
00:22:55 – Navigating motion capture vs. solitary voiceover
00:27:13 – Upgrading to facial capture for the sequel
00:33:45 – Doing stunts and fight scenes—actors vs. stunt pros
00:34:44 – Who’s real? Playing historical vs. fictional characters
00:37:45 – The “dirt system” and lived-in realism in games
00:41:51 – Fandom’s role: when catchphrases become iconic
00:43:21 – What’s a "roadmap"? Demystifying game development lingo
00:50:49 – Strangest fan encounters—blurring game and real life
00:52:27 – Experiencing global recognition as a game actor
00:54:39 – Why KCD2 could be Game of the Year
00:55:16 – Validation for a hard-working, passionate team
Tom McKay was born in Solihull, Warwickshire in the UK. He is an actor and writer, known for Imagine Me & You, Kill Command, and for playing Henry of Skalitz in the Kingdom Come: Deliverance games. After graduating from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Luke Dale was the recipient of the Alan Bates Award. As well as roles on Genius,Doctors and Holby City, he's played roles in Battlefield V and is Hans Capon in the Kingdom Come: Deliverance games.
“I didn't do all this stage combat school for nothing. Like, let's use it. And we did and it was great. I kind of messed up my jaw a little bit, but, you know, that's fine.”
– Luke Dale
"The word family gets kicked around so much in our industry and very loosely and, and sentimentally, but it really is that they (Warhorse) are very much like a family.”
– Tom McKay
Episode 1: Devora Wilde on Lae’zel and Performance in Baldur’s Gate 3
Episode 2: Michael Geary on Warhammer, Magic, and Mushroom Warriors
Episode 3:Damien Goodwin on directing Returnal, Helldivers 2 and more
Episode 4:Doug Cockle on D&D love and voicing Geralt in the Witcher
00:10:01 – Why asking “How are you?” transforms a session
00:14:14 – The unexpected impact of Baldur’s Gate 3 performances
00:16:37 – Relatability and diversity in Baldur’s Gate 3
00:19:16 – Trusting actors’ instincts—letting them lead character journeys
00:20:11 – Navigating direction, line reads, and actor autonomy
00:22:37 – Working with high-profile or celebrity actors in games
00:26:28 – Disagreeing with game directors—when to speak up
00:33:23 – Casting do’s and don’ts: bring choices, be flexible
00:35:09 – The importance of respecting games as an art form
00:39:19 – Becoming BAFTA Breakthrough—breaking new ground as a director
00:47:45 – Proud moments: directing difficult, truthful indie game stories
Kirsty Gillmore is an acclaimed creative freelance Voice & Performance Director and Casting Director for multi-award winning games, animation and audio drama projects. In 2021 she was selected for the prestigious BAFTA Breakthrough UK programme as a Voice Director for Games.
“Baldur's Gate 3 took everybody a little bit by surprise. And I had people coming up to me, like musicians and designers and coders and all sorts of people going: ‘I've sunk 200 hours in Baldur's Gate 3, the performances are amazing’.”
– Kirsty Gillmore
"There have definitely been times when I've worked with actors…who just don't really want to be there…they just want to get it done and they leave. And that's tricky.”
00:11:28 – Directing actors through grief – handling vulnerability with care
00:15:36 – The essential question that fosters safety in the booth
00:17:36 – Talkback gone wrong: the perils of studio silence
00:19:39 – Beyond the role – casting for character and chemistry
00:24:12 – Unhelpful casting notes and the “Rebel Wilson, Kanye, Ronaldo” brief
00:29:24 – Alan Wake II madness: musicals, buses, and Sam Lake’s process
00:32:51 – From cleaning toilets to Square Enix: Ollie’s unlikely career start
00:36:02 – Cultural shifts: British English and Dragon Quest VIII’s localisation
00:41:36 – Translating Japanese dialogue: subtext, literalness, and ellipses
00:45:20 – Performance capture puzzles: syncing bodies, voices, and scripts
00:49:57 – Game of Thrones meets Final Fantasy XVI – what the game really is
00:53:05 – How do you kiss in mocap? Navigating intimate scenes
👤 Guest Info:
Hannah Price is a performance director, theatre director and filmmaker. Her many credits in gaming include: Alan Wake II, The Division 2, Forza Horizon 4, Hitman 2.
Oli Chance is the co-founder of Shloc Limited, localisation and performance specialists. His credits include Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age and several titles in the Inezuma Irebun series.
Morgan Rushton is the co-founder of Shloc Limited. He’s worked on several games in the Final Fantasy series including Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIV and FInal Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, along with many other Shloc projects.
Martin Vaughan is a casting director who’s worked on numerous titles, including Cyberpunk 2077, Returnal, Alan Wake II, Split Fiction and A Plague Tale: Requiem.
“I think that they [Square Enix] as compared to some other developers, have put a lot of effort into getting Western performances in their games right.”
– Morgan Rushton
“In games, you have to get what you want really quickly and it has to be specific. But if you pull those together, you get really great performances.”
Leave a review and let us know who you want featured next!
🎧 Check Out More ReadyAimFire Episodes:
Episode 1: Devora Wilde on Lae’zel and Performance in Baldur’s Gate 3
Episode 2: Michael Geary on Warhammer, Magic, and Mushroom Warriors
Episode 3:Damien Goodwin on directing Returnal, Helldivers 2 and more
Episode 4:Doug Cockle on D&D love and voicing Geralt in the Witcher
Episode 5: Tom McKay & Luke Dale on Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
Episode 6:Kirsty Gillmore on directing for games including Baldur’s Gate 3
Listen & Subscribe:
🎧 Spotify: https://readyaimfire.tv/spotify
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://readyaimfire.tv/apple
▶️ YouTube:
00:07:31 - Designing vulnerability: traits and accessibility in Zomboid
00:08:33 - Will Porter joins Alien: Isolation to provide “overflow writing”
00:09:47 - Creative adaptation: writing for evolving game features in real time
00:13:53 - “Like a film”: sensations from the first full script table read
00:15:29 - Anthony on acting Samuels: “a good android” and emotional restraint
00:17:30 - How Kate Saxon’s theatre background shapes performance direction
00:20:11 - The epic “spacewalk” scene – bringing theatre scale to games
00:22:45 - Will on the thrill of experiencing RSC actors performing his lines
00:24:23 - Being part of something that changes a franchise
00:28:08 - The special feeling of performance capture versus ‘just’ voice
00:29:00 - Streaming the game: Anthony’s hilarious trouble escaping the pods
00:33:48 - Building fear: rules for vulnerability and horror in game design
00:41:06 - Getting her ears scanned - a first for Kez
00:42:19 - The real question: how would you survive a zombie (or Alien) attack?
👤 Guest Info:
Anthony Howell is an actor who has appeared as lead roles with the RSC as well as on TV in series like Foyle’s War and Outlander. His gaming credits include Black Myth Wukong, Final Fantasy XVI and Margit in the Elden Ring series.
Will Porter has written for many games as well as Alien: Isolation, including No Man’s Sky, Observation and Mafia: Definitive Edition. He’s also the creator-writer-director of cult Steam smash, Project Zomboid.
00:21:56 – Surprising similarities: narrative and design in gaming and opera
00:25:44 – Discovering gaming through friendship
00:28:45 – Charlotte’s favourite game scene in A Plague Tale
00:32:30 – Recording Requiem, insights into the process
00:35:20 – Amicia de Rune’s journey ends
00:37:19 – Siblings vs the Inquisition – and rats!
00:39:41 – Why Charlotte loves rats
00:44:28 – The power of character: the bond between Charlotte and Amicia
00:47:29 – Respected in the room: R&D and game development
00:51:27 – The process of performance
00:55:27 – Charlotte’s (surprising!) musical instrument of choice
58:09 – Solo show: The City for Incurable Women
👤 Guest Info:
Charlotte McBurney is known forA Plague Tale: Requiem, A Plague Tale: Innocence, Final Fantasy XVI andpodcast series Abridgd... Too Far! She is also part of theatre collective fish in a dress, and is currently appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe in The City for Incurable Women at the Pleasance Courtyard.
“I think people who love games should work in games… I mean that's how Plague Tale came about, right? It was basically these guys loved the Last of Us and that was where a lot of the inspiration came for Plague Tale.”
– Charlotte McBurney
“Growing up, being in the opera, where you get your hair and makeup done, you get a fabulous costume and you go on stage and the music is so loud that my teeny tiny body would just vibrate. And once you've heard that, you're like, yeah, I want to do this.”
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