Actor Alec Newman, known for his roles in titles such as The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Elden Ring, states that his work in the upcoming open-world game Crimson Desert by Pearl Abyss is different from anything he has done before. Newman plays Kliff, a stoic, quiet character initially called Macduff. The studio was looking for a Scottish accent for the character, and the actor drew inspiration from his wife's late stepfather to voice him, as a personal tribute.
The Graphics Engine and Voice Capture in Crimson Desert 🎮
Pearl Abyss uses its own graphics engine, the BlackSpace Engine, to bring Crimson Desert to life. This engine allows for a level of facial and body detail that demands precise vocal performance. Newman recorded his lines in a motion capture studio, synchronizing his voice with the character's facial animations. The process included adjusting the tone and cadence of the Scottish accent to fit Kliff's reserved personality, a warrior who speaks little but with weight in every sentence.
From Macduff to Kliff: A Name Change with a Moral 🎭
It turns out the character was called Macduff in the early stages of development, a name evoking the noble assassin from Macbeth. But someone at Pearl Abyss must have thought it was too obvious, and they changed it to Kliff. Perhaps so players wouldn't expect a certain Macbeth to show up with an army of trees at the end of the game. At least Newman got to keep the accent, which is what matters.