During the Game Awards 2023, we had the opportunity to sit down with Neil Newbon, the winner of Best Performance for his role as Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3. The voice actor, also known for his role as Karl Heisenberg in Resident Evil Village, discusses representation and inclusion, motion and performance capture, his acting process, and that bear scene from the game. Check out the full interview below!
This interview was graciously conducted by our very own Amanda Castrillo.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a sprawling top-down open-world fantasy RPG based in Wizards of the Coast’s Dungeons and Dragons setting, utilizing a modified version of the legendary tabletop game’s 5th edition ruleset. In it, players can gather a colorful cast of different party members will different skills, abilities, and motivations to join their party, fight goblins and countless other fantastical creatures, and even romance a bear. The replay value is endless, as every decision matters, and the smallest choice could alter your character’s story in big ways.
Newbon’s character Astarion is a shady, mysterious High Elf Rogue with a dark past. Players can utilize his thieving skills to sneak, pickpocket, and lockpick their way through the game.
Baldur’s Gate 3 was nominated for eight total awards (tying with Alan Wake II) and won six: Best Performance, Best RPG, Best Multiplayer Game, Best Community Support, Player’s Choice, and the coveted Game of the Year. The game also received high praise from numerous other media outlets, including Game of the Year from GameSpot and PC Gamer.
Some controversy was had during Geoff Keighleys mainstream event, as award winners were only allotted thirty seconds for their acceptance speeches, leaving many to go over time and be played off with music while the teleprompter read “please wrap it up”. This sparked conversation within the community about balancing between game reveals and celebrity cameos with the actual awards.
