Hitman: Absolution

[ProjectPat2280]

As big of a Hitman fan as I am, I hardly would put him on the same level of popularity as Solid Snake. It'd be more like if they recast Ezio or something from AC. Fans would care, but most people wouldn't cry over it.

No, its really no different. 47 has been around much longer than Ezio and has a far more distinctive voice, the same way Solid Snake does. David Bateson is just as much a part of 47 as David Hayter is with Solid Snake.

 

[gregtestagent]

The Hitman series has featured Bateman's voice for their main character in four installments, yeah it's kind of a big deal if they dropped him. Him and Jesper Kyd.

 

[Balthus Dire]

I know 47 has been around longer, but he's hardly as recognizable or popular as Snake. It's not like 47 drops one liners all the time in a very distinguished voice like Duke Nukem or something. He barely speaks, especially in the first games.

I'm not disagreeing that it's a crappy loss, as I love 47's voice. I don't think anyone who isn't a big Hitman fan will A) notice or B) care. Unless they cast someone horridly different like Mickey Rourke or something.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

I know 47 has been around longer, but he's hardly as recognizable or popular as Snake. It's not like 47 drops one liners all the time in a very distinguished voice like Duke Nukem or something. He barely speaks, especially in the first games.

I'm not disagreeing that it's a crappy loss, as I love 47's voice. I don't think anyone who isn't a big Hitman fan will A) notice or B) care. Unless they cast someone horridly different like Mickey Rourke or something.

Unless they cast a flawless and i mean flawless sound alike, people will notice. Anyone who has played the previous games will notice. He's not as popular as Snake, no argument there, but his voice is just as distinctive.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

The Hitman series has featured Bateman's voice for their main character in four installments, yeah it's kind of a big deal if they dropped him. Him and Jesper Kyd.

I almost wonder if Square Enix has anything to do with it all? I mean we already know they are using hollywood talent for the lead villain and Diana. I wonder if they want some other hollywood actor to portray 47? David Bateson did an interview a while back saying that he had to audition for the role of 47 in this game but was told by IO that he didnt need to worry.

Edit. Here is a piece of that interview i was referring to:

Retroplayer - What kind of relationship do you have with IO interactive?

David Bateson - A good one I believe. Though I was rather surprised to having to audition for my own role this time round, that is, for the next long awaited instalment. It seems that with company buy outs and global power shifts in the world of computer gaming and the Hitman franchise, there is now a LA based caster on board, who is responsible for voice casting, and I had to audition along with the rest of the planet for the right to play Agent 47. However, I have been informed by IO Interactive, that I still have the part. I won’t even bother to describe how gutted I would have been if they went for a sound-a-like.

 

[Balthus Dire]

That really is a shame. Worse that he didn't think his part was in jeopardy.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Yea it really is a kick in the ass. I have to assume this was out of IO's control. There just isnt any explanation as to why they would can the person that not only was the voice of 47 but the character model as well. Its bulls**t

 

[Master Chief]

-No Bateson
-No Kyd
-New director

No purchase.

 

[Mario_Galaxy]

-No Bateson
-No Kyd
-New director

No purchase.

I'm slowly climbing into the same boat. This is hardly sounding like Hitman anymore, and more like a Conviction clone. All the bragging about working with Hollywood actors is starting to dawn on me as a complete 180 for the series, and not in a good way. And Bateson not being 47 IS a big deal. Besides voicing him in every game, 47 LOOKS like Bateson. Now, I may be able to look past that (albeit, it'd be a huge first strike) but a new woman as Diana's VA? No Jesper Kyd? Strikes two and three. You can't get rid of these major (and really, only) recurring staples of Hitman and act like nothing's out of place. This game does look good, and the gameplay does look fun, but I want a continuation of what I see as Hitman, and not a complete overhaul of the elements that didn't need any improvement whatsoever.

And before someone comes in here to nag, I don't have a problem with change. But when something that isn't broken is being fixed, it's pretty glaring.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

I'm slowly climbing into the same boat. This is hardly sounding like Hitman anymore, and more like a Conviction clone. All the bragging about working with Hollywood actors is starting to dawn on me as a complete 180 for the series, and not in a good way. And Bateson not being 47 IS a big deal. Besides voicing him in every game, 47 LOOKS like Bateson. Now, I may be able to look past that (albeit, it'd be a huge first strike) but a new woman as Diana's VA? No Jesper Kyd? Strikes two and three. You can't get rid of these major (and really, only) recurring staples of Hitman and act like nothing's out of place. This game does look good, and the gameplay does look fun, but I want a continuation of what I see as Hitman, and not a complete overhaul of the elements that didn't need any improvement whatsoever.

And before someone comes in here to nag, I don't have a problem with change. But when something that isn't broken is being fixed, it's pretty glaring.

I agree and disagree. Recasting Bateson is just, well blasphemous. Recasting Diana was a tough pill to swallow but Marsha Thomason does sound similar to Diana and Diana isnt nearly as iconic.

However, there was a LOT that needed changing with the Hitman games. I mean they are some of my fav's, but they were in desperate need of a new engine(which we got) and new gameplay elements that would make the player feel like an elite killer(which we are getting). They arent really changing anything structure wise from the old games. Its been confirmed that there will still be the large, sandbox, choose your path type levels along with more story driven, focused sections. Which we also needed as the Hitman titles were never very cinematic.

Everything iv heard about the game seemed like it was shaping up to be the perfect Hitman title, then the news about Bateson not coming back caused that train to come to a dead halt. Im not ready to boycott the game because everything else sounds so good, but the new actor for 47 better blow us all away.

 

[The Riddler]

i would have prefered bateson to continue as 47's voice, but really, i don't care that much.

the game being fun is all that matters. the game, visually, looks great. the new features...we'll see. the instincts mode, or whatever, sounds a bit too convenient, and i am not keen on checkpoints and too much scripted action/events.

however, it is very possible they are simply highlighting the new features of the game; i am hoping that the next game will provide what i look forward most to hitman: original, unrestricted, and exciting gameplay. if it does, i will buy it.

 

[Mario_Galaxy]

I agree and disagree. Recasting Bateson is just, well blasphemous. Recasting Diana was a tough pill to swallow but Marsha Thomason does sound similar to Diana and Diana isnt nearly as iconic.

However, there was a LOT that needed changing with the Hitman games. I mean they are some of my fav's, but they were in desperate need of a new engine(which we got) and new gameplay elements that would make the player feel like an elite killer(which we are getting). They arent really changing anything structure wise from the old games. Its been confirmed that there will still be the large, sandbox, choose your path type levels along with more story driven, focused sections. Which we also needed as the Hitman titles were never very cinematic.

Everything iv heard about the game seemed like it was shaping up to be the perfect Hitman title, then the news about Bateson not coming back caused that train to come to a dead halt. Im not ready to boycott the game because everything else sounds so good, but the new actor for 47 better blow us all away.

And I'm not complaining about the gameplay,as the mechanics did need some work done. But as far as voices, and now the music, all that was fine as is.

 

[dusk20]

I just read the last two pages of this page....I'm ****ing heart broken to read all these latest updates. Very very upset that 47 is getting a new voice. However Jesper Kyd I'm not so upset about because I'm sure I'll fall in love with whatever music we're given. But a new voice for 47....that just makes me mad.

 

[Crockett]

Yea Jesper Kyd also wont be back to do the score. Those are 2 HUGE disappointments.

Him too? Ugh, although it'll be easy to handle that, Bateson not returning, it's still tough to cope. I've a feeling Square Enix had a hand in that decision. Anyway I'm still looking forward to it, right now though it's just because it's a new installment in the series and the gameplay aspect, which I want to see more.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Spoiler

 

[ProjectPat2280]

That's pretty funny. Inaccurate, but still funny.

There's plenty of confirmation that the old style gameplay of past Hitman games is present. It was still there even in the more "narrow and focused" section the devs have been showing off.

 

[Terminator]

-No Bateson
-No Kyd
-New director

No purchase.

Really? Even if it's a great game, you're not going to purchase it because of those three reasons?

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Too bad to hear about Bateson. I think if he'd had the type of cover as other voice actors, he probably would have been brought back by fear of pissing off enough Hitman fans. Much like the other character's mentioned, Solid Snake, Sam Fisher...Bateson made 47 come to life.

David Hayter, Nolan North, Michael Ironside...those are voice actors that if recasted, lots of people would freak out about. There was the rumor of Ubisoft axing Ironside, and I remember people freaked...and then that rumor died, and he'd been brought back.

Whoever made the decision to recast 47, they're hedging they're bets that people won't get pissed off about it. I don't even "get" the point of recasting 47. The dude has done it for long enough, and done it right. What the ****? I don't think I could understand going for a sound-alike, either. Why not just go with the known quantity if you're going to try and mimic that quantity?

 

[Balthus Dire]

I think the gaming industry is taking a turn for the worst with casting "hollywood" types in place of regular voice actors. They seem to think it's some huge draw to consumers, as if they'll even realize they're hearing Gary Oldman's voice or some crap. Sometimes it works when you have a distinct voice like Lance Henriksen or something, but casting hollywood just for the hell of it is horrid.

I really hope that's not the case here, and we don't end up with "HITMAN: ABSOLUTION FEATURING THE VOICE OF SAM WORTHINGTON!"

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Where 47 will sound Australian half the time when he's not doing a bad American accent.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Then they should add some sort of auto/quick-aim. Mark and execute is basically letting the game play itself. I hate the feeling of not being in control, when all I do is mark targets and let the game do the actual killing.

Except you have to earn the M&E's, and had a limited number of them to use.

And. You didn't have to use them.

Mark and Execute was a great way to show the skill of the character. There is no argument that the skill that 47 possesses was NOT conveyed to the player when trying to use either hand to hand combat or gun fire. The controls for the games never made the player feel like they were an elite assassin. Having a similar element will help the player feel like 47. The gunplay was the Hitmans series biggest weakness. Trying to shoot 2 or more individuals quickly was far tougher than it needed to be.

Agreed. It's one of the reasons I like M&E, because it manages to get into the gameplay something that could only get done in a cutscene. Dropping two enemies in a matter of two seconds, which said character is able to do...but gameplay wise is impossible to do for a player.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

I think the gaming industry is taking a turn for the worst with casting "hollywood" types in place of regular voice actors. They seem to think it's some huge draw to consumers, as if they'll even realize they're hearing Gary Oldman's voice or some crap. Sometimes it works when you have a distinct voice like Lance Henriksen or something, but casting hollywood just for the hell of it is horrid.

I really hope that's not the case here, and we don't end up with "HITMAN: ABSOLUTION FEATURING THE VOICE OF SAM WORTHINGTON!"

Well, Duke Nukem Forever sold half a million copies, probably because it was called "Duke Nukem". Probably the next decade, regardless of what Call of Duty puts out, amazing or poop on your tooth brush epic fail, people will buy it cause it's called "Call Of Duty". I think there will be more and more so in the future with voice actors not just video game names drawing folk in by sticking someone well known in a game. Gaming basically is becoming like summer movies. It's partly why it sucks so hard now. Personally, I blame everyone for everything.

 

[Master Chief]

Really? Even if it's a great game, you're not going to purchase it because of those three reasons?

Unless there's a reasonable excuse for putting a guy who portrayed one of my favourite characters out of work I'm not gonna be buying it. It may be stupid but I feel a loyalty to the guy, and losing a role based on an audition for a role you've played before is s**tty. hahah they probably called him up, "Yeeeah... we're going in a different direction. Same character, just a different direction with the voice, yeah. Sorry bro."

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Unless there's a reasonable excuse for putting a guy who portrayed one of my favourite characters out of work I'm not gonna be buying it. It may be stupid but I feel a loyalty to the guy, and losing a role based on an audition for a role you've played before is s**tty. hahah they probably called him up, "Yeeeah... we're going in a different direction. Same character, just a different direction with the voice, yeah. Sorry bro."

Haha yea i feel the same man. Im not ready to boycott yet but this whole thing just reeks. I guarantee you this was out of IO's control. What ever LA based casting agency Eidos/SE is using can take a long walk off a short pier.

 

[zeptron]

Being a longtime Hitman fan it's kind of a blow to hear that the man responsible for 47 will not be voicing him, but I'm sure they can find a suitable replacement. I'm reserving judgement of this game until I have a controller in my hands and I'm able to control 47 himself.

And just to let you in on something.. I have a feeling the reason they went with someone else is probably money related. Maybe the VA wanted more money to come back? If that's the case, then they will probably NOT go with Timothy Olyphant (thankfully) since he would probably require even more money.. so don't freak out yet about all this. I think it's silly to put off what could be a good game that we've all been waiting years for just because of this news.