When compared to other art forms like film, theatre, or even painting and sculpture, interactive media is a relatively young art form. And considering voice acting in video games has only been around since the mid 90s, it is an even younger art form in and of itself.

As an art form, gaming means a lot to me.

The first video game I ever remember playing is a memory that is tied directly to one of my favorite people in the world: my grandpa. Bob Haugen is his name. 

Anyone who ever met Bob knows how much fun you could have if you were lucky enough to get to hang out with him. Its no secret that my grandfather knew how to party back in the day. With his Norwegian good looks and bountiful amounts of charm, having a good time is just in his nature. He has not wasted a single second of his life on the mundane.

Bob started exhibiting signs of Alzheimers disease about 5 years ago. I noticed one year when he called me on my birthday (which he has done without fail for all my 34 years of life) that something was up with him. In his voice, I could just hear that something was… off. Nothing of what he said stood out to me as overtly strange. But I just knew in my heart that something was wrong. And I was right. 

I was able to visit my grandpa about three years ago. I live in Southern California and he lived in Tempe, Arizona. I made the trek out there for what was my last good memory of him while he still knows who I am. And we had an amazing day together that I will never forget. 

I am so lucky to have someone like my grandpa. Some of the best memories I have are with him. When we were little, my sister and I used to get to spend about a week every summer at his house. And we always had a blast! We went roller skating, went to six flags, played pool in his game room, went swimming, fed his giant tortoise, ate ice cream, and so much more. But none of that compared to the one special night each summer that my grandpa reserved for the greatest competition of all time: DUCK HUNT. 

For only one night each summer, my grandpa would pull out the Nintendo Entertainment System he had in his giant game room. He would plug it into the 32 inch TV (a large screen for the early 90s) and we would battle to see who could shoot down the most birds. The “click” of the Zap Gun in my hands and the sound of the dog giggling when I missed are some of the most vivid memories I have in my entire childhood. I can still see my grandpa trying his hardest to shoot down the birds as they crossed the screen and my sister and I cheering him on. Im not being hyperbolic when I say it was one of the highlights of my entire life. 

I so wish I could go back to those nights and have one more Duck Hunt night with him. 

I never had much video game exposure growing up. My family was not exactly the wealthiest and even if we were, my parents still held the belief that video games would “rot my brain” and wanted me to play outside instead. 

I grew up in Big Bear Lake, California in the 90s. It is still a gorgeous resort town that thrives in the winter months. It is one of the best places to ski and snowboard in Southern California. And I loved growing up in the mountains. 

Things were so different growing up in a small town back then. I don’t mean to age myself too badly, but growing up in a time before the internet, selfies, and cell phones meant that we played outside… a lot. We would meet up with the kids who lived on our block and play for hours. We would ride our bikes, climb trees, play baseball, race each other and generally try to stay out of trouble. However, growing up in a mountain town meant that the weather would often prohibit us from being able to play outside. Being a ski resort town, we would get a ton of snow in the winter. And as kids, we were all stuck inside. 

I never had a video game console growing up. But my friends sure did. I can remember so many times when Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart, and Mortal Kombat filled our afternoons. Hours would tick by in what seemed like seconds as we would battle each other on 13 inch televisions to see who was the master of the controller.

I didn’t think so at the time, but I am glad my parents never bought me a Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis when I was a kid. I think if they had, I might have missed out on all those time with my pals. And Im glad to have those memories. 

When I became an adult, I was finally able to fulfill my desire of having my own home console. By that time it was 2004 and I had graduated high school, moved out into a small apartment I shared with a roommate, and had my own money. I could finally buy all the games I wanted… right? WRONG! 

Going to college full time and working part time in the Rite Aid “One Hour Photo” department barely paid the bills. I definitely didn’t have the funds to be able to afford the latest Playstation that came out. 

However, one fateful day, I stopped by a yard sale on the way home from visiting my boyfriend. At this yard sale I saw a glorious Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) for sale with about 15 game cartridges, two controllers and a Duck Hunt Zap Gun. I picked up the grey and neon red toy gun and pulled the trigger. I was instantly transported back to my grandpa’s game room with the words “Duck Hunt” flashing on the TV screen. I knew I had to buy it.

Having only $30 left to my name, I prayed the older lady who was selling that day would accept my offer. She did and I went home giddy with a box full of nostalgia. 

I still have that NES. It is a prized piece in my collection. 

Now in my 30s, my game collection has grown substantially. I avidly collect the pieces I wish I had access to in my childhood. Now I’m a grown up. With grown up money… to spend on the toys I wanted in childhood. 

I have a deep appreciation for these works of art, and yes I do feel like video games are works of art. In my oh so humble opinion, I think video games are actually the culmination of several art forms put into one beautiful package. Storytelling, voice acting, graphic design, computer animation, music, and coding all come together to give a complete package of entertainment that I have always found fascinating.  Video games are a beautiful way to tell some of the most compelling stories I have ever heard.

They allow me not only to be a passive witness to these stories, but actually invite me in to be an active participant.  I take on the roles of larger than life characters and decide what they do, where they go, and ultimately, their fate. 

Being able to actively participate in these forms of art is something that is not easily found in other types of media. When I watch a movie or television show, I am sitting and absorbing the information given to me in a very passive way. While watching Titanic, I am not jumping through the screen to tell Rose to scoot her ass over and let Jack on the damn door because there is definitely enough room for the two of them. 

However, when I take on the role of Max in the hit indie game “Life is Strange” I literally can control who will survive a huge tornado and who will not. I have the power to choose how Max will live out the rest of her life. The development team has given me the authority to transport myself into another human beings shoes and live out a life that is so very different from my own existence. Through the choices I make for Max, I not only get to explore the town of Arcadia Bay, but the depths of my own heart as well. 

This is why I love gaming. 

The human beings who have spent countless hours of their lives developing this art form have given entire generations a new media outlet to explore not only galaxies far far away, but also what is inside themselves. I feel like these people have, in many ways, shaped who I am and how I see the world. And I feel like bringing their characters and stories is a privilege and calling that is difficult to describe in words.

This is why acting for video games means so much to me. And I will continue to work to bring authenticity and precise care to the characters I am so lucky to get to voice.