As Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 star Charlie Cox insists "any nomination" should go to Gustave's mocap actor, Baldur's Gate 3 performance director says awards should include motion capture category

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It'd be nice for folks to "get to see the amazing performances people put in"

Baldur's Gate 3
(Image credit: Larian Studios)

A few days ago, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor Charlie Cox expressed his joy at being nominated for the role of Gustave, but insisted "any credit I get" should go to his character's motion capture talent instead – and he's not the only one who'd likely back a mocap category.

One of Baldur's Gate 3's performance directors, Aliona Baranova, would, too. In a new online post, she responds to Cox's insistence that "any nomination or any credit" he receives for his role as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 protagonist Gustave should be passed on to Maxence Cazorla, who "did almost all of the motion capture" for the same part. "Yup, I think we should have a motion capture category at awards shows," writes Baranova.

It certainly would make sense – and Baranova explains why, replying to a fan commenting that people might not be as familiar with mocap actors as those behind characters' voices. "An awards category could encourage more studios to release behind-the-scenes long takes of the mocap, like Sandfall has shared with Maxence to post online. It's rare, but if more BTS footage was shared, people would get to see the amazing performances people put in."

She makes a good point. The reason so many of us, I'd argue, relate with voice actors and become fans of specific faces boils down to how much exposure they get a lot of the time – and, of course, the fact that we associate them with their roles. If mocap actors were at events and their work highlighted alongside that of the voice talent's, we'd likely see community support revolve more around them and, as a result, formal recognition via awards.

Baranova isn't the only Baldur's Gate 3 veteran to speak on the matter, either. Astarion actor Neil Newbon said performance capture acting in games pulled him out of "£34,000 worth of debt" and "years of not doing very well" recently, describing his role as an actor as a "mixture of motion capture and voice work in film, TV, animation, stage, and screen as well." Here's hoping more light is shone on mocap work – and those behind it.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 wins 7 titles at Golden Joystick Awards, tying with Baldur's Gate 3 – and Larian boss Swen Vincke approves: "Definitely deserved"

Anna Koselke
Anna Koselke
Staff Writer

After spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.

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