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J.K. Simmons hasn’t played Baldur’s Gate 3 or any of his games, but he loves Portal 2: ‘I could have done the feature film, or the play, or whatever’
Actor J.K. Simmons has revealed that he has never played Baldur's Gate 3, despite voicing a character in the hit role-playing game, nor has he played any other video games he has lent his voice to. The disclosure is notable given his prominence in gaming voice work, highlighting how some performers approach voice roles as acting jobs disconnected from the finished product rather than as fans of the medium itself.
Despite his lack of engagement with his own game credits, Simmons said he is genuinely fond of Portal 2, one of Valve's acclaimed puzzle titles. He also remarked that he could have approached the role in various formats, saying "I could have done the feature film, or the play, or whatever," suggesting he views voice acting for games as comparable to other performance mediums rather than something requiring hands-on familiarity with the game itself.
In short
- J.K. Simmons hasn't played Baldur's Gate 3 or his other games
- He says he genuinely enjoys Portal 2
- He treats voice roles like any acting job, format aside
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Voice acting in games differs from other mediums because it contributes to an interactive experience where players develop direct emotional connections with characters; understanding the full narrative context and how players experience one's performance could deepen authenticity and emotional resonance. Engaging with the finished work reflects respect both for the craft of game design and for the audiences who invest considerable time and emotion in these interactive stories.
The case against
Professional voice acting is fundamentally a craft of delivering compelling performances under creative direction, regardless of whether the performer later consumes the finished product in other mediums—film actors often never watch the final film, yet this doesn't diminish their work. Games are simply another medium requiring vocal talent; treating the role as professional work rather than as a personal hobby reflects industry standards and doesn't constitute disrespect toward the medium or its audience.
Explained simply
Video game voice acting is now a significant part of the entertainment industry, with many well-known film and television actors lending their voices to characters in major titles. Like dubbing and voiceover work in other media, it is a standard part of an acting career.
Not all voice actors who work on video games are necessarily engaged with the medium as fans or players. For some performers, voice acting roles are treated as purely professional jobs, where they come to the studio to record dialogue without necessarily engaging with the games themselves.
Baldur's Gate 3 is a major role-playing game that achieved significant critical and commercial success in recent years. Portal 2 is an acclaimed puzzle game developed by Valve that has built a devoted following since its release.