[Clutch]

In Ryan's defense, Sonic Heroes didn't exactly provide a whole lot for they guy to work with. Not just because the script had a lot of shitty lines like "REAL SUPER POWER OF TEAMWORK" either: both Adventure games had moments where Sonic took a break from being his normal cocky self to be concerned, angry, solemn, or confused. Heroes Sonic seemed written to be near-constantly snarky.

Roger's fine and a competent voice actor with a lot of roles, but if they gave him the same terms they did Ryan I have to wonder why he accepted. Maybe if he doesn't belong to a union; I'd assume Pollock doesn't as 4Kids used him constantly and they avoided union actors like the plague.

[XD375]

Here's my post from Sonic Stadium:

XD375, on 08 September 2012 - 04:00 PM, said:

And this is why I didn't leak the entire story two years ago when I first told you all about the recast.

For those who don't remember, I was the guy who originally leaked info of a recast and later supplied voice clips from Free Riders and Colours DS prior to their releases. I also originally revealed that Team Chaotix and Omega were in Colours DS, too, according to an old status update. Heh, forgot about that one until now.

Everything Ryan says is true, and SEGA's douchery and heartlessness extend way beyond even what he said in the interview.

Ryan rocked the auditions - he won the role over even Roger. Read more of my allusions to that here in this post about how great Ryan could have been.

SEGA told Ryan they were glad to have him back and that he got the job.

Then he was kicked off the role again later on because he wouldn't quit his union.

Ryan's first new games would have been Sonic Colors and Sonic Free Riders, but even All-Stars Racing was still in development when all of this went down.

My buddy at SEGA was laid off earlier this year so I don't think he'd care anymore about me telling you all this.

Oh, and the recast? Yeah, that was partially a response to Save Sonic, and partially because a lot of SEGA of America's employees just love Ryan Drummond. Which is why they snuck some clips into this trailer.

Let me catch up on the rest of the thread. I may post more depending on what is asked.

EDIT: And here's some more stuff I've revealed:

-SEGA is paying Roger practically nothing ("coffee and donuts money") to voice Sonic.

-SEGA had meetings about Ryan's union status. They spent enough money to cover at least sixteen games of Ryan Drummond acting just on airfare, hotels, and food for the executives from Japan to take part in these meetings.

This post has been edited by XD375: 09 September 2012 - 01:42 AM

[Hero Of Fate]

I really like Roger but, it's interesting to hear Drummond's re-audition blew SEGA out of the water, and that the voice direction was absolutely terrible in the "Dreamcast era". It's pretty ridiculous how little SEGA is paying these people right now. Roger must be doing it just because he loves the character because, he certainly doesn't have a hard time finding work.

[Metal Man88]

Video game stuff treats people like dirt, 'nuff said.

He knew how SEGA was before. Going to the auditions with the idea of "I'll MAKE them accept me despite wanting to do things I know they wouldn't allow" is just silly.

[Hukos]

People are surprised that corporations treat Voice Actors like total shit? I guarantee that Sega isn't the only company that does it, though it's sad to hear what happened to him, but this certainly isn't uncommon, especially in this economy.

Though I personally prefer Roger Craig Smith right now, but it'd be cool to see how Ryan sounds with the modern voice direction we have with Colors/Generations.

[SaviourDCX]

Wow this sucks, so it seems then that Sega doesn't stand by it's Sonic voice acting decisions nor do they properly support them when they've made it...

[Sodaholic]

Honestly, I rather liked the way Sonic sounded in the OVA series. Urkel bugged the shit out of me, and his lines made it all the worse. Regardless, I haven't given a shit about the new entries into the series past SA2, so it's not like the current or future voice actor concerns me. :V

[Azukara]

Personally was always a fan of Drummond's voice for Sonic. Sure, the directioning given by Lani Minella in the SA games was pretty bad, but I thought his tone and his verbal inflection for a lot of stuff was tops, and I can't say the same for any other game-Sonic VA besides when Griffith was getting into it around near the end of his run with Unleashed and the storybook games. Still, I didn't like what Drummond was doing in Heroes but Sonic didn't have much emotional range in that game either.

I really do wonder what Sonic would've sounded like with the current voice direction and Ryan mixed in alongside it. Must've been pretty dang great, going by what was said by XD375.

This post has been edited by Azukara: 08 September 2012 - 11:14 PM

[Ayu Tsukimiya]

I really think Roger is one of the best Sonic voices, and that a lot of Ryan's praise is slightly glorified by nostalgia, but this is just sad to read.


God damn, it must suck to be a voice actor.

This post has been edited by Ayu Tsukimiya: 08 September 2012 - 11:16 PM

[The Shad]

It's a shame that Sega would prefer to low ball Ryan but the fact is there is always someone willing to take the job for less. That said, I'm glad we got the guy we have now. He is great with the role.

[GeneHF]

Not at all surprised to see some of Anti-Drummond remarks in here. While I'm sure he's improved greatly or they just improved voice directing significantly from the '90s (HOUSE OF THE DEAD VOICE ACTING!), I don't know if I'd been all smiles with Drummond back at the helm.

I like the idea that, with each redesign, Sonic's getting a little older (though not really as he's always been depicted as 15-16.) So he goes from somewhat mute (Sonic CD), Dreamcast Era, Griffith/Dark Ages Era (nothing on Jason at all. He just got saddled in for a really shitty span of games up until Unleashed, where he sounded pretty good) and now he's older sounding but back to being a smartass (as that's what is typically considered having an attitude these days. Being a smartass, not LOLI'MCOOLANDEDGY RADICAL BRO)

I'm still very much a mark for the original Shadow voice actor, but at this stage in how the character was developed (kicking and screaming through a horrid bog), I don't know how well he'd fit anymore.

[Caniad Bach]

Shame, I liked Ryan.

I'm looking forward to when Nolan North inevitably voices Sonic.

[Retroman]

I'd love to have Ryan Drummond back. He is so determined for 10 years to get back the voice, give him a break Sega!

I don't like Roger's voice... but I'd love to hear Ryan's one for 2012.

I'd say let it be. Sega Sonic games needed a new direction. And needs to be aimed more at people over the usual kids age, but not 18. Oh gosh no. Maybe if they stopped being greedy, and paid Ryan for at-least a cameo in a game as Dreamcast Sonic, then maybe. But that would tire Ryan's patience. Imagine going back and forth from each state and then being told 'Nope'

For Sega Company Representatives who don't understand english:

Sega No Baka!
セガ馬鹿

This post has been edited by Retroman: 09 September 2012 - 08:01 AM

[Aerosol]

GeneHF, on 09 September 2012 - 12:05 AM, said:

I'm still very much a mark for the original Shadow voice actor, but at this stage in how the character was developed (kicking and screaming through a horrid bog), I don't know how well he'd fit anymore.

Now there's a VA I'd like to see return. I can't honestly say I've heard a role being played like that before, and it fit Shadow very well.

[Retroman]

AerosolSP, on 09 September 2012 - 07:56 AM, said:

GeneHF, on 09 September 2012 - 12:05 AM, said:

I'm still very much a mark for the original Shadow voice actor, but at this stage in how the character was developed (kicking and screaming through a horrid bog), I don't know how well he'd fit anymore.

Now there's a VA I'd like to see return. I can't honestly say I've heard a role being played like that before, and it fit Shadow very well.

Ditto.
The Original Shadow voice actor had an edge that cannot be beaten with other actors.
He was a naturally-voiced bad-ass, and I felt the one we have now sounds like he is trying hard to voice him. Abit of Jason Griffin syndrome.

Edit: For some reason, when I quoted your post, it said at the end '-I'm Stupid-' o_o

This post has been edited by Retroman: 09 September 2012 - 08:07 AM