The most impressive dialogue performance in the “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree” expansion pack is the shocking and angry voice-over of the dragon warrior “Aegon.” The English voice actor, Richard Charles Lintern, recently shared some interesting insights regarding the recording process, revealing that it was not a simple task.
“Curse you! Bayle!” Every time a Tarnished character challenges the BOSS “Mad Dragon” Bayle and summons Aegon, they are startled by the vivid and sincere anger in his voice. It’s hard to believe Aegon was once an NPC suffering from fear.
The phrase “Curse you, Baelor!” resonated deeply with audiences, becoming a popular meme in overseas communities since the release of “Shadows of the Golden Tree.” Aegon’s popularity far surpassed Lintern’s initial expectations.
Richard Charles Lintern is a veteran British actor with extensive experience in television, film, and stage plays, but he had never voiced a video game before. “Elden Ring” was his first venture into this field.
In an interview with Welcome to IGN, Lintern mentioned that this experience opened new doors for him. He explained his acting process involves adapting to the role, but Aegon presented a unique challenge.
“Even though I’m an actor and people expect you to adapt to the character you’re playing, usually it’s zero to 10, or zero to seven,” he says. “But the character I played in Elden Ring was zero to 5,000. He was very far away. He was either dead, dying, or recovering.”
Richard Charles Lintern | Photo credit: Internet Databases
“I remember one time, and I thought it was really stupid, I said a line like, ‘You lose, I beat you,’ and then the next line on the page said, ‘So you beat me,’ ” Lintern recalled. “I thought there was something wrong with the script because one minute he’s winning and the next he’s losing, and there’s this awkward pause on the other side of the screen.”
Lintern’s confusion stemmed from his unfamiliarity with video game voice acting. He didn’t understand why characters had contradictory lines depending on the player’s choices in the game – winning or losing, survival or death – until the staff explained it to him.
“I don’t think I even knew that Baelor was a dragon. I probably thought Baelor was a man. I don’t remember it either way, but I gave it everything I might, vocally, emotionally, craning my neck and screaming with my vocal cords.” He added: “It’s almost as good as any Shakespearean role I’ve played, and people take it very seriously.”
Lintern’s dedication to the role of Aegon, coupled with his understanding of Aegon’s courage in facing a powerful enemy, resulted in a performance that left many players stunned during the boss battle.
No matter how much they pay his voice actor, it’s not enough
go throughu/Xx_HeXwave_xX existEldenlin
While Lintern initially estimated that Aegon’s lines might be read within 7 minutes, the recording process took 5 hours. During an interview with an IGN reporter, Lintern even asked, “What kind of character is Aegon?” He eventually understood that Aegon was injured and close to death before the battle.
“Can’t you (the players) heal me or something? Can’t you give me a drink of water?” Lintern asked.
Sorry, Egon, there’s nothing we can do.
It’s worth noting that during the interview regarding the dubbing work, From Software President Hidetaka Miyazaki was present and very friendly. Lintern had never heard of Miyazaki before but sensed this job was more significant than he initially believed.
“It was very mysterious. Mr. Miyazaki is a very mysterious person, but he was having a lot of fun doing it, and it made people feel very creative and engaged.” Lintern said: “Although I didn’t quite know what I was doing, I knew that this experience was very interesting.”
Source of the first picture:Steam Community Screenshot Sharing
Aegon’s Roar: The Making of Elden Ring’s Most Memorable Voice-Over
The “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree” expansion pack has brought us numerous memorable moments, but one that stands out is the sheer power and rage behind Aegon’s voice-over. Richard Charles Lintern, the actor responsible for the English dub, recently shared some insightful stories regarding the recording process, revealing a journey filled with challenges and unexpected discoveries.
A Memorable “Curse You!”
“Curse you! Bayle!” This iconic line, delivered with such raw emotion, has become a viral meme in online communities. Players are left stunned by Aegon’s transformation – from a fearful NPC to a warrior fueled by unbridled anger.
The impact of Aegon’s voice-over goes beyond just a memorable catchphrase. It deeply resonates with players due to the intensity and authenticity Lintern brings to the role.
Lintern’s Journey into Elden Ring
Richard Charles Lintern is a veteran actor with extensive experience in television, film, and theater. However, before voicing Aegon, he had never worked on a video game. “Elden Ring” marked his foray into a new realm, a challenge he embraced with open arms.
In an interview with IGN, Lintern shared his initial confusion surrounding Aegon’s character. He describes the typical acting process as a gradual scale from 0-10, whereas Aegon’s journey felt like a jump from 0-5,000. He found himself questioning the character’s motivations, grappling with the intensity of Aegon’s emotions.
Richard Charles Lintern | Photo credit: Internet Movie Database
Lintern recalls a specific line that baffled him: “You lose, I beat you,” followed by, “So you beat me.” Initially, he questioned the script, believing there was a mistake. It wasn’t until the staff explained the concept of player choices in video games, where dialogue changes based on outcomes, that he understood the complexity.
Lintern fully immersed himself in the role, pouring his heart and soul into each line, even if he was unsure of Aegon’s full story at first. He recognized Aegon’s courage to confront a powerful enemy, a feat he described as “as good as any Shakespearean role I’ve played.” This dedication resulted in a performance that left a lasting impact on players.
The Unforgettable Performance
No matter how much they pay his voice actor, it’s not enough
go throughu/Xx_HeXwave_xX existEldenlin
Despite the memorability of Aegon’s lines, which might be read in around 7 minutes, the recording process took 5 hours. Lintern’s dedication to understanding Aegon’s motivations led him to ask the IGN interviewer, “What kind of character is Aegon?” He finally realized that Aegon was in a weakened state, injured and on the brink of death.
“Can’t you (the players) heal me or something? Can’t you give me a drink of water?” Lintern jokingly asked, highlighting the vulnerability that lies beneath Aegon’s ferocious exterior.
Miyazaki’s Presence and a Creative Spark
Lintern’s voice-over work for Aegon was made even more significant by the presence of From Software President Hidetaka Miyazaki. Lintern’s initial lack of familiarity with Miyazaki’s work didn’t hinder the experience. He felt a creative spark and a sense of importance surrounding the project, which Miyazaki’s presence and engaging persona fostered.
“It was very mysterious. Mr. Miyazaki is a very mysterious person, but he was having a lot of fun doing it, and it made people feel very creative and engaged.” Lintern concluded, “Although I didn’t quite know what I was doing, I knew that this experience was very interesting.”
Source of the first picture:Steam Community Screenshot Sharing