Harada explains complications of bringing back voice actors, talks behind the scenes details

I'm glad everybody including the developers are calling out the whiners and complainers. It goes to show the mind sets of people when the new millenium came.

Biting commentary yet straight to the point, Mr. Harada. Well said. Of course, this harsh response will of course generate much butthurt from those with the more fragile sensibilities around here. Nevertheless, there are whiny c---- in the community who sincerely believe they are the creative directors and administrative support of fighting game development. Whatever.

Man, I KNEW that certain characters had different voice actors doing different lines, but my friends thought I was just hearing things wrong. Now I can rub it in their faces with Harada's official confirmation of that. :P

@1 & 2:

Yeah, it's about time that devs and others started throwing back punches instead of taking blow after blow of whining and crying and endless b*tching. Gotta keep the snobby self-entitled gamer in check.

Harada sounds salty. It seems like a lot of the awesome FGC members are annoyed with the FGC lately. It's too bad really, so many demands with so little knowledge.

he has all the right to be angry, but to show that angry message to people kinda weird, IMO.

internet is full of spammer and troll and kids, he shouldn't give any attention to sucha spams, because most people can see and judge that was spam and troll or whatever it is.

you still thing it is possible to recreate these voices?

I bet some people will still ask to bring back Heihachis voice actor back... from his grave.

I only played Tekken 5 but I must say I really like the change of VA to Steve Fox in Tekken 6. That last voice was horrid and just plain stupid...

@5

Well the thing with listening to fans is that you're forced to shuffle through both the good comments, whether it's praise or constructive criticism, and the bad comments as well, such as the whining, trolling, and constant demands. It's certainly not an easy job, especially when you have to deal with a bunch of rowdy gamers that can sometimes have insane expectations.

Its about time somebody said something to all the whiners, people are just never happy with what they have.

Lol at the ending "Thanks for understanding or not understanding. Whatever."

I've never understood how Tekken could have the same level of complaints like this as other series, when so much of the cast is retained--and TTT2 will have pretty much everyone in the entire series. Yet I still suspect Kuni will be replaced with an even more random whine fetish like P-Jack or the original King or something.

It never ends.

I really appreciate a direct response like this from the developers. It makes the communication between consumer and producer a lot clearer, something that's needed. Regardless of if you agree with Harada on this issue or not, it's respectable that he gave such a detailed and specific reply. And it definitely encourages more positive communication between the community and developers.

This is human nature. I don't get why you guys think it's limited to gamers or the FGC.

I really dont care either way but how would that explain a voice actor like say, Oh I dont know, the guy who voiced Optimus Prime in the ORIGINAL cartoon and the live action movies being the same dude? the recording tech has changed just like Harada said in this case as well I would imagine. weather he is able to use the original data or voice actors or not is one thing, but making an excuse for it is another.

I'm glad he said it like it is, people just think everything so easy to do now a days. Still takes a lot of effort, time and money to do things right and even then you have to convince idiots who don't even want to try and understand.

@13 - Not every voice actor is able to do the same voice work they did nearly 20 years ago. Others just don't want to do the voice anymore, or aren't doing voice work at all. Tekken is hardly the only series where those kinds of issues have come up.

Plus does the game really lose much from not having the old sound? Because I doubt that's going to affect the overall package as much as, say, character balance. Makes sense to me that Harada doesn't think it's as big a deal in the long run.

@CervejaDoBrazil:
Not every actor can do older voices. Peter Cullen has it on record that Optimus is his best voice, considering he was imitating his brother's speech patterns.
It's the same way that Harley Queen has a different VA now, the original actress couldn't do the voice for Arkham City. People lose the ability to do voices they haven't practiced in ages. Mark Hamill as Fire Lord Ozai was awesome, but he doesn't use that voice often.
Just because there are exceptions, it doesn't mean it's the norm.

@12

You're right. Dumbasses cried a river over the barely new facebook format. Whiners. People just cry their asses off now. It's just what it is. What makes it funnier is that its what they consider "taking a stand". Sometimes you have to just stop crying like a bitch, and deal with it. Or move on. Most people just like to "take a stand" without any good suggestions or actual constructive criticism coming out of it. They just want to cry, and act like they're speaking out some powerful message. It's definitely not limited to the FGC, but this is eventhubs, where we discuss the FGC. It is pretty dominant here. That's not even the tip of the iceberg, sadly.

These days, if you ain't cryin, you ain't tryin.

@12, there's only so long you can listen to people complain about a thing you literally pour your heart and soul into before you need to defend it.

I Love Harada. PREACH.

Again, weather the same voice actor is able to do it or not is besides the point. mainly because he brings up the fact that the tech changes and runs with that thought. it just sounds like too many excuses to me. once again dont get me wrong, It really doesn't bother me if its original or new recordings, that's not what I'm complaining about. I'm just wondering why bother saying the reason is because of ALL of these under lying factors. I mean lets be honest here, its probably because the voice actors couldn't do it anymore, plain and simple. Should of just stopped there. but then he goes on what I feel is a bit of a rant.

Much respect, I love Capcom but i can't help but feel they are "we are listening, but not really."

@gammabolt17

lol, what makes you think this is a new phenomenon?

@truefenix

Yeah, this reminds me of when people were insulting Ono non-stop on twitter. I'm pretty sure he spends a good amount of time reading through all of that :/

People who are actually requesting for Daisuke Gori's return as the voice of Mishima Heihachi should really be ashamed of themselves for not knowing that the man has died...

And, am I the only one who is excited for the yet to be revealed characters for Tekken Tag Tournament 2? Chances are slim, but I hope for Hirano Miharu's return! :)

@bestalgorithm

It's not a new phenomenon at all. It's just more rampant now than I can ever remember it being. People have complained since whenever. Like, think back to the SF2 days of people hating throws and calling them cheap. It was never outrageous like this. Or maybe it was and I was young enough that it didn't register to me or something.

As far as the FGC goes, or gaming in general, these days there's always something to cry about. I just think back not too long ago to the PSX/N64 era where it just seemed like everybody loved everything. Even the bad games got some love (or there was some fun to be had at their expense, one way or the other). Even if there was something to complain about, it usually ended up in conversational theory fighter, not a bitch n' moan free-for-all like almost every topic.

People are more spoilt these days so they feel entitled to everything.

http://i.imgur.com/ZcX9S.jpg

@8
so he either be pro to deal with sucha things, or hire someone professional as a community manger who can deal with these stuff.

by the way, this is not the first angry message from him.

I could really read this thing multiple times. Appreciate what is being done and stop breathing down this man's neck. They're gonna just wanna stop supporting the FGC eventually, because we can't ever be satisfied.

I had no idea people actually had an issue with the voices this much. I get the issue people have but it's nowhere near on the same level as Capcom and their DLC. Heck, Heihachis voice actor died so there's one reason. Good article though.

Incredibly thorough explanation. I tend to find these responses much more satisfying than the Sven-style, "We are working to find the information you seek asap."

Despite potentially disappointing customers by telling them they won't get what they want, Harada gave a very detailed answer that mentions all the reasons *why* this particular player desire can't be fulfilled.

Opinions on the actual content of his answer: While some of the voice acting work was nice from 4-6 I never particularly cared for much of it. As long as Kazuya shouts Doraiya I'm ok with it.

Lol Harada that was nice, but c'mon now. Telling them to act "adult"? Might as well pray that lightning will hit the same spot twice

@19

He gives specific examples from a more pragmatic view (dealing with the specific voice actors and their management - I'm guessing he doesn't give specific names on the people who backed out, out of respect of them) as well as the purely technical one (the limitations of the hardware). If he didn't give any evidence, people would make the argument that what he's saying might be baseless.

Of course it does sound like he's ranting a little, but I assume that's because he's pissed off at all the messages he's getting from the trolls in his twitter. I also assume he wants this post to be the final answer to all those people he's responding, given by the line "After this lengthy explanation, I will be quite surprised if there are still people who still don't get it."

Sadly, I expect his twitter to still be full of whining from people about this very same thing he answers, since I'm guessing a good number of those trolls are whining about characters to him on knee-jerk reactions and impulses on their wants for the game - and they wouldn't have spent time to read his other posts, like this one.

First ppl moan that Ono and Sven troll and dont answer questions

Now Harada has taken time to write and get translated what he feels to answer questions. People are moaning that he made an angry response

He's done so much for Tekken fans, bringing back jun,t ogre, ogre,kunimitsu, michelle,angel for FREE

Ppl need to just shut up

#25

ok, first off how is well-thought out criticism not being "pro"? I mean i don't want to hear mindless yes-men messages to kiss the fgc ass if they ask.

Why bother having him to HAVE to hire a community manager? Harada made it clear numerous times in these rants from him in the past that he can speak his mind without hiding behind some dude. If its concerning his fighting game series he can talk about it on his own if he so wishes

Harada has given alot to his fans even compared to other fighting games free DLC characters, returning characters etc free customisations, sponsored events, he just doesnt want ppl spamming, especially without knowing the facts, to me its seems the so called fans who are ungrateful no matter how you put it @CervejaDoBrazil your still bitching

@31

I understand you're pissed off at the whiners, but if you make confrontational and antagonistic posts like that, you'll just end up looking like the people you say that "need to just shut up".

I agree harada made a very eloquent and thought out response to those people, and even seems to maintain most of his cool during it (I can't imagine him not wearing sunglasses right after that last line); but how you said what you said just keeps the flames going.

@30, Don't indulge him. Harada posts honest, transparent answers with examples in direct response to fan inquiry, skeptics like #19 continue to call him out over nothing.

They are the reason most devs either troll or ignore social media entirely.

I wonder if John DiMaggio will ever come back to be Marduk.

Nice Harada-san. That's how spoiled kids should be treated.

@34 if people just focus on the last line and ignore the whole content and context of what i said and get offended at that, then who know what kind of person they are

My post wasnt an antagonistic one, it is what it is, sometimes ppl just need to shut up,

im not telling everyone to its the people who complain for no valid reason who think they are entitled to everything.

confrontational? i dont think by saying shut up makes it confrontation or antagonistic, it wasnt a foul mouth rant was it, no

Harada speaks the truth on that one. About time developers did something about it for once.

Wow Tekken fans must be a bunch of whiny b*tches to the point the game's producer had to write such a LONG response to address VOICE ACTING concerns? REALLY LOL?

I set SF's VA to Japanese or English depending on which sounds less annoying, no need all that drama specially for a fighting game lol

Though I'm not really interested in TTT2, reading what Harada has to say, and keeping certain people in their place, gotta love it! I know people want their voices heard, and that feedback (to an extent) is necessary for developers to give fans what they want. However, it doesn't excuse immature, spamming, rude, disrespectful, douchebaggery.

Lol, how utterly ridiculous. Gamers complain about characters they want. Harada gives them exactly that. Instead of being satisfied by getting their way, they continue on like a bunch of spoiled children and complain about the next thing they can find irregardless of how minor it is.

Way to bring shame to the Tekken community.

Mmmm you give it to them raw Harada!!! This is why he just may be my favourite game developer(well he does make my number one favourite game). He is blunt, strict, and straight to the point. Hope I can be almost exactly like this when I join the business world.

Katsuhiro Harada you freaking ROCK!!! What a cool dude to take the time to address this so thoroughly. Awesome stuff!!

HARADA PUTTING ALL YOU GUYS ON BLAST!!!!

Abbreviated version / TL;DR:

DON'T JUMP THE GUN! (c) Harada

Haha that's great.

But honestly, do people really care that much about voices? I was under the impression people here usually broke into tears if it wasn't in a language they couldn't understand anyways.

Harada gives every character a chance. Hell, TTT2 is basically a love letter to fans. But, people have to complain and I guess voice actors seems to be the most "logical" step. I just can't believe that some people can complain on this front while Capcom fans are still fighting for whichever Alpha/3rd Strike character or Mega Man they want.

That said, I'll join any coalition to bring Mark Gatha back to the VA business. DWGundam 2's Domon was TERRIBLE.

Wow, just wow! Isn't gameplay and balance the most important aspect of fighting games? I swear if you give people and inch they'll want to take a mile!

Harada is so boss! He takes to you, like it or not. I like that fellow.

Voice actors? Who cares? Well, I don't!

Keep it up Harada-san!

Harada telling it like it is,this is how I want sven to answer since ono is too nice to respond like this,dev put alot of work into the game ttt2 pretty much got soo many fan fav characters,free dlc characters and sc5 style online,now VA doesnt bother me much I dont care that much,anyways I love this

Some people can be so ignorant, so you get the character u won't and then the voice actor changes, you ask for the old voice and when it can't be done you go super troll and whiney? It is about time a dev who cares spoke up, he gave all the reason's why sometimes things just aren't going to happen the way people want, and that's life.... But then you got simple people who says things along the lines of, why he typing so much, why he mad, why he ranting, and why he making all these excuses? Makes me wonder if these are just spoiled children who can't grasp the concept, if not, then it's incredibly sad...

Harada did the voices for Forrest and Marshall? wow, thats crazy, I loved that voice.

Dayum, son. Pimp-slapping people.

I think Harada's my new favorite person.

"I believe that, before whining and complaining about everything, you need practice at taking a step back and analyzing things objectively. And also at being an adult."

Anyone want a placard with this written on it? I do.

Always had mad respect for Harada for how he handled things, now I respect him even more.

Lol whatever.. Harada just better make sure Kazuya's voice stays the same from now on period. I don't care if they have to tie the guy to the seat themselves. DORYAA!!! :D

IMO, I think that Harada should just ignore anyone else by not taking anymore of their ridiculous requests.

Everything needs an upgrade at some point, and voices are no exception.

Here's a question I'd like to ask: "Will the game have a ENG/JPN/Native language option (Native being French, German, Chinese, Korean, etc...), and if so, will we get the same english actors as SFxTK ?" 'cuz now that SFxTK is out, kinda hard to revert back to the Japanese voices only when you already heard them in english. Beside, shouldn't selectable voice options be a standard in fighting games nowadays ?

Gamers are just plain spoiled. They bitch and moan about stuff and call a product "ruined FOREVER" if they don't get it (and sometimes when they do).

You simply can not please everyone.

Gamers are very entitled creatures. This isn't a new phenomenon, but it is much more visible. Thank you internet.

I remember wanting to punch a f****** puppy when I heard people had filed a petition to force Bioware to change the ending to ME3.

Now THIS is what I like to see , a developer with balls who keeps things real in a professional manner.

harada, you so pimp~

I'm one of those guys that wants character voices to stay consistent, but this cleared up a lot for me. Granted, I knew of some of the hurdles, but I didn't imagine this many.

I just hope they stick to the actors they got going for them now, since I'm fairly satisfied with the actors of Tekken Tag 2.

And speaking on this voice issue, I really hope Namco goes the extra mile to fetch the official SFIV/XTK voice cast.
For me, these guys and girls ARE the characters now, and bringing them along when translating them to Tekken would really go the extra mile on selling them as the same characters for me.

And finally, deepest respect to Harada-san for his very deep response. No bull here, he just goes straight to the point and explains in detail. That man is awesome.

@kdavis851 (#63)
I guess you don't actually play Mass Effect. It's called having a backbone. The ending was pretty poor. It's the EA virus.

I deeply appreciate the effort the devs put into the voice acting and it's very clear they wouldn't put anything in if it sounded 'wrong'.
Never had a problem with it, thanks for the effort guys.

@67

Not that it matters, but I own all 3 ME games and have beaten all but the 3rd with with at least 3 playthroughs.

But to the point, the ending being poor or not isn't the issue. The issue is people feeling that they have some ownership over another's intellectually property by virtue of... being a fan. "Take BACK Mass Effect 3?!" How the hell can you take back something that never belonged to you in the first place?

Don't like the ending? Fine. That's all well and good. But to DEMAND that a creative company CHANGE the creative vision of their intellectual property as if the masses have some ownership of it? That's some bulls*** if I've ever seen it. That's called bratty nerd entitlement.