HD Collection PS3 Exclusive (Hah! 360 too) /New VAs

[Smiley]

She didn't say they were terrible. Just that they were non-actors. She even did an imitation of Angela and laid blame on Guy like Troy Baker has done. At the moment Monica (original Mary/Maria voice) has gotten involved in Guy's defense and spoke out about her acting experience. The original voice of Eddie will have his own interview at some point about the whole mess.

Recently Jeremy Blaustein has opened up on the subject and blamed Guy as well for the recast. When I talked with him (as well as read the comments on the SH forum he replied to) he expressed that if Guy hadn't threaten to sue then Konami wouldn't have felt the need to recast. Even if they have no contracts and all the actors could very well press charges if they felt like it, Konami has decided to move along with the new voices.

So that's why people are blaming Guy Cihi. He was outspoken about the legal issues and threatened to sue. In Guy's defense though he was right about Konami having no contracts, and because Konami doesn't want to sort out each original actor to waive their rights they opted to play it safe and go with new actors. Guy recently waived his rights instead of suing with the hope that the original actors can still be placed back in even as an option. Despite Guy not getting any reply back from Konami the HD collection has been delayed apparently.

Boy, that's a lot to type out in the thick of things. Such a messy situation all over poor communication and business practices with one another. ;

Because there are plenty of people like me who believe the performances are not good by VA standards, only by video game VA standards, and VG VA standards are much better now than they were 10 years ago.

I believe I owe you an apology and must retract my earlier statement about Jeremy's direction. No doubt I enjoy the work of the original actors as does a lot of outspoken fans, but there was something Jeremy had said recently that reminded me of your opinion. Even though he's passionate about his work on the SH series and has grown fond of actors he's worked with it does seem as though he would do things differently this time around.


"All I know is what you guys know. But yes, I do believe SH3 will also be rerecorded unfortunately. Basically the problem is that Guy has demonstrated that voice actors can whip up trouble on this issue now so they (Konami) are being forced to play it safe. Perhaps if threats had never been issued, Konami would not feel like a cornered animal forced to defend -but that is the situation now and the only safe play was to rerecord.

Having said that, it should also be said that not all of the acting was top notch so even given the choice myself, I would do some re-recording with real professionals."---Jeremy Blaustein

I do wonder what characters he would have had re-recorded.

[Rombie]

People seem to think the HD set has been delayed because it's out next year, but when it was first announced Konami said the same thing, 2012 release. For some reason a number of retailers had it listed over the next couple of months (something that the MGS set has had as well, listed over multiple months except it is due out soon) but I don't think it was ever set for this year. It may have been delayed further into next year than originally planned due to this though, no doubt.

Jeremy's comments are still slightly unexpected to me, for someone who's been in situations where his public voice has been questioned, blaming Guy for something he does (and Jeremy knows, as stated) have a legal option to is interesting. Jeremy never went the legal way as far as I'm aware, but I'm sure it crossed his mind.

But there is two sides to this, yes Guy probably pushed it too far about legal demands, but given the cost Konami has put in re-recording and the whole chances this will impact on the sales and the cost of making the whole HD thing the first place, it was also a chance to begin with for Konami just to pay the original actors the money they've ended up spending anyway. They had that chance to smooth it over which they ignored, and re-recording it basically confirmed the reverse attack.

Given recent events it'd seemed to me fairly obvious that SH3 will be revoiced too, based on the fact obviously that one of the voice cast is also in SH2 and for the same reasons Jeremy mentioned.

In the end though, I agree - I think the whole thing is a shit fest, and I'm honestly starting to wish Konami didn't bother with the whole thing.

[riderkid]

so konami made sumtin we as fans won't buy cause they shit on a good tihng?

ok, got, getting old copies for cheaper...anyone got extras of SH 2 3 and 4 for cheap?

[Dracarys]

What bugs me about this is that everyone else lames blame on Guy. He drove Konami to do this by being outspoken about it. But is he really at fault if every actor in those games has the legal right to press charges over this? If not him it could very well have been anyone else.

From statements given by people on both sides I see it like this:


- In Japan, at least back then (dunno about now) what Konami did was standard practice. A one off fee for the VAs and that was it, nothing more. A couple VAs releated to SH have said this on both sides, I've also heard it from oter VAs not releated to SH or talking about this situation.

- Guy Cihi who isn't really in the business thinks he deserves more money from other uses of his work in the game. Perhaps in other countries where legality is better regulated this is true, but either way he has spent a long long time kicking up a enourmous stink about it.

- Perhaps Konami and original VAs could have worked something out, only we will never know because Guys constant shitstorm over the issue has made everything a rather unpleasent, hostile and awkward environment, and they cannot approach the others without including him.


I perhaps feel some empathy for the other VAs, who new they didn't get the best of deals but accepted it. I think I have a rather strong dislike for Guy who flung shit everywhere and now everything is a mess he waives his rights and says "Yeah use it, I don't care anymore, do it for the fans!". We would probably have had the original VAs if not for his actions alone and his actions alone mean every single VA have to waive rights also now or else his gesture is even more empty.

As I have said, replacing the original VAs doesn't really bother me but I understand fans who feel a special like for them, however I cannot grasp why anyone is defending this guy (what a perfectly unintended double entendre).

People seem to think the HD set has been delayed because it's out next year, but when it was first announced Konami said the same thing, 2012 release.

I remember a 2011 release being mentioned, I presumed the 2012 delay was because they decided to do a 360 version afterall.

I believe I owe you an apology and must retract my earlier statement about Jeremy's direction.

I don't believe is need of an apology, you said nothing offensive and just disagreed. But thanks for the sentiment.

[Rombie]

I remember a 2011 release being mentioned, I presumed the 2012 delay was because they decided to do a 360 version afterall.

I think you're right about the 360 thing.

I found where the 2011 date came from after I posted. When the HD set was officially confirmed at E3, well prior specifically - from Konami's pre conference, no date was mentioned at all in regards to it (and Book of Memories also announced). Then there was some comments in reply to questioning at the E3 that it would be a target for "winter." That I knew.

I've found a few links from late July saying that Konami said Sept/October 2011 but nothing official had appeared anywhere I'd looked, including the July news and press info pages at Konami's official website.

http://www.konami.com/news/index/2011-07/

I dug a bit more and someone mentioned the first two screens released in July came with a fact sheet that had a tentative date as above and that HiJinx Studios is the one doing the HD port.

The full fact sheet is up on Joystiq. It matches the same info I saw on Gamestop (date excluded) when the redone voice acting came to light.

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/silent-hill-hd-collection-coming-in-september-october-first-s/

When the 360 version was confirmed in August at Gamescom there was no mention of any date again at all only both would come out simultaneously when it did arrive. So, yeah I think you are right.

[Smiley]

http://silenthaven.tumblr.com/post/1...remy-blaustein

Another interview with Jeremy. This time going into more detail about the lack of contracts.

The whole "word is your bond" scenario never runs smoothly for a business. Case in point? And now he's saying he'd rather just put in the old voices.

What I find interesting is he seems to have some fare amount of knowledge regarding the HD Collection despite what he said earlier. He claims the new voice actors will be uncredited because it's a non-union job yet all the original cast will be credited. I'm assuming that's based on their mocap performances.

EDIT: Devin Shatsky and Tomm Hulett interview is now up. Covers both Downpur and HD Collection.

http://she.townofsilenthill.com/silent-hill-experienced-exclusive-interview-with-devin-shatsky-and-tomm-hulett/

EDIT part 2: Found other work by Guy Cihi that was not Silent Hill related. From Silent Hill to.... The Amazon!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idTU8hpztO8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhv09...el_video_title

In fact check out the channel. He's quite adventurous. I'm currently watching 'The Baja Challenge' as I type this.

EDIT part 3: More from Jeremy Blaustein. This time on recording and what he has to say about McGynn's comments.

http://she.townofsilenthill.com/new-...#comment-11456

After viewing a video of some criticisms of the voice work in SH2 by Mary Elizabeth MCGlynn, Jeremy wanted to point out that “the pacing problems in the game dialog were NOT simply the result of the way they were recorded in the booth but were also affected by the hardware at the time and the way the dialog was called up by the program. It resulted in some awkward pauses between speaking characters.” Jeremy also defended the voice work of Donna who voiced Angela saying “What Mary failed to understand is that the voice actors were also constrained in their timing because they had to match the pace and tempo of their movements from the mocap session. Essentially the actors were doing the voice-overs to picture and it could not be altered so the pacing of the delivery was circumscribed by that. Donna also did one of the best performances in SH3 as the leader of the cult, Claudia. She also happens to be a fantastic singer.”

EDIT part 4: Couple more news updates. Jeremy Blaustein's mysterious role at Konami is now unveiled. He will be localizing Silent Hill: Book of Memories for the Vita.

http://she.townofsilenthill.com/jeremy-blaustein-localizing-silent-hill-book-of-memories/

Also David Schaufele (original voice of Eddie in Silent Hill 2) has an interview up. A very interesting read all around.
http://she.townofsilenthill.com/silent-havens-interview-with-sh2s-original-eddie-voice-david-schaufele/

[MeanBob]

Guys, Cihi has commented on his Open Letter to Konami on his Facebook and announced some good news! Although, it's a possibility, it sure is reassuring!

I think we are close to a solution with Konami that will put the original voices back into the HD release. Tomm Hulett called me. We had a nice chat. I am 95% sure we are going to get a Win-Win ending. All I need to do is find the damn bowling alley and talk to that guy... What was his name again? =)

[Smiley]

That's great news.

Raises a lot of questions though.

Do they plan to release these with optional voice tracks or decide on one over the other?

Since the deals are being made with the Silent Hill 2 cast what about the people behind Silent Hill 3? We haven't heard anything about them.

[MeanBob]

I would imagine that they'd release it with optional voice tracks because then they'd have to scrap the new VAs, which pretty much would seem like they did it for nothing.

Good question about Silent Hill 3. No one's talking about it at all, so I'm a bit worried about it..

[Beanovsky Durst]

I would imagine that they'd release it with optional voice tracks because then they'd have to scrap the new VAs, which pretty much would seem like they did it for nothing.

Good question about Silent Hill 3. No one's talking about it at all, so I'm a bit worried about it..

But that would be a nice incentive to buy. YOU, the player, choose if you want new or old voices. Or maybe something like MvC3, where you can choose if you want some characters to speak japanese or english. Combine old and new voice acting to your liking. That would be fun too!

[Smiley]

I'm very happy to announce that as far as Silent Hill 2 is concerned we may very well be getting the voices back in after all. Here's the most recent update. Guy Cihi posted a picture on his facebook of himself and Dave Schaufele signing their waivers. He made the following statement:

Very special thanks to Monica Taylor Horgan and Donna Burke for signing their waivers! Fans, you need to understand that this simply wouldn't have been possible without the cooperation and support of Tomm Hulett, Devin Shatsky and Michael Ranja of Konami USA. Plus, I would like to issue a special note of gratitude to Michael Patrick Arnold of Silent Haven who worked selflessly behind the scenes to get everyone together on this, and make the Win-Win ending possible. I don't think we could have done it without you, Mike!

Tomm Hulett and Devin Shatsky said that once the rights waivers are all signed, they will do their best to include the original cast in the new HD release. The waivers are all signed so it's now up to Tomm and Devin to bring it on home! Send your fan-love and support to them both - they're on Facebook! Now is no time for shyness. So go ahead and express your appreciation and support.

[Canas Renvall]

Go Guy~ Now... There may yet be hope for the HD release.

[Dracarys]

I hope the new voices are still an option.

[MeanBob]

I saw his post on FB right when I woke up and am VERY happy to see this outcome happen

[Canas Renvall]

Yeah, this is really nice. Like I said, I just might buy this now in all honesty. Original voices ftw.