Samantha Béart, known for her role as Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3, has expressed her concern about how video game actors are often underestimated by developers, even though fans consider them essential to the gaming experience. During her speech at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, Béart highlighted an evident disconnect between the perception that developers have about the role of actors and how players value them, similar to the dynamics in the film and television industry.
He believes that the industry still does not respect their work
“There is a strange disconnection,” commented Béart. “Developers often do not see us as part of the team, while players consider us almost on the front line.” This sentiment resonates in a context where narrative-driven games, such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, have begun to elevate the profile of actors in the industry, establishing fan loyalty not only towards the characters but also towards those who portray them.
The actress emphasized that video game actors must be proactive to increase their visibility, using social media and algorithms to their advantage, as, according to her, studios do not always promote their recognition. “I feel that we must ‘arm ourselves’ with social media to do it,” Béart stated.
In a similar sense, Charlie Cox, actor in Expedition 33, emphasized the importance of motion capture actor, Maxence Cazorla, for the main character, Gustave. This type of recognition helps highlight the specific challenges associated with performances in video games. Roger Clark, voice of Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, also supported this idea by pointing out that “a community is needed” to create a hero in a game.
Finally, Béart addressed the confusion surrounding her character Karlach, often perceived as “sweet” and “cheerful.” “She has a dark background; she is not just a colorful piece,” she concluded. This nuance reflects the complexity and depth that actors bring to video games, elements that deserve to be recognized and valued fairly in the industry.
