Neil Newbon has recently gained prominence due to his performance in Baldur’s Gate 3. His recognition escalated when he shared an award category with Hollywood star Idris Elba, known for his talents in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty.

Newbon expressed his thoughts on how, despite gaming being a massive entertainment sector, its creatives often go unrecognized. He recalls past instances where he faced skepticism about his role as a real actor while working in motion capture.

“I had agents turn down three-week mocap gigs that I didn’t even know about.”

This sentiment reflects the long-standing challenges actors in the gaming industry face, pushing them towards a struggle for respect and acknowledgment for their contributions.

In discussions with Entertainment Weekly, Newbon highlighted the evolving landscape of voice acting and how actors are increasingly fighting for their rights and recognition within the gaming ecosystem, particularly in light of ongoing industry challenges involving AI.

Neil Newbon in Baldur’s Gate 3 (Image credit: Larian Studios)

The journey to recognition continues as the industry adapts to changing technologies and expectations.