While Capcom’s Pragmata may initially draw players in with its sci-fi setting and action gameplay, many fans ultimately found themselves invested in the emotional connection between Hugh and Diana. As a result, that relationship quickly became one of the game’s biggest talking points. Recently, in an interview with Temple of Geek, actor David Menkin opened up about bringing Hugh to life and explained why the relationship between the game’s two leads resonated so strongly with players. Throughout the conversation, he reflected on the emotional nuance behind the character and the collaborative process that helped shape the story’s emotional core.
Building Humanity Into Hugh
“Hugh wasn’t written as your typical hardened action hero,” Menkin shared. “He’s someone driven by protection, survival, and genuine human connection rather than revenge or anger.” That emotional grounding, he explained, became central to how he approached the role. That emotional grounding became central to the performance. A major challenge came from the fact that players rarely see Hugh’s face. “A lot of the challenge came from the fact that players rarely see Hugh’s face,” he said. “So much of the performance had to come through the voice alone. Through restraint, pacing, and subtle emotion.”.
How Pragmata Approached Performance
“One thing that really stood out was how collaborative the process was,” Menkin explained. “We revisited scenes constantly as the animation, camera work, and emotional beats evolved throughout development.” Additionally, he highlighted the importance of the project’s early table read. “That first read-through really helped establish the chemistry between Hugh and Diana,” Menkin said. “Even though much of the recording happened separately, we already understood the emotional rhythm between the characters.”
Sci-Fi, Games, and Emotional Connection
Beyond Pragmata, Menkin reflected on his long connection to science fiction and gaming. “During lockdown, games like The Last of Us and Ghost of Tsushima reminded me how powerful interactive storytelling can be,” he shared. “For me, sci-fi has always been connected to imagination, emotion, and that sense of childhood wonder,” Menkin added. “That’s what makes projects like Pragmata special. Underneath all the sci-fi elements, it’s really about human connection.”
The full interview explores performance capture, game storytelling, and what it means to become part of a world players emotionally connect with long after the credits roll.
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