#IAmOnBoard2015: Twitter hashtag stresses importance of voice actors

Voice actors: you never see their faces, but they’re an essential part of video games. Bad voice acting can ruin an otherwise great game, and good voice acting can have you laughing, crying or shaking with fear behind your screen. So many iconic characters are defined by their unique voices, and Twitter has decided it’s time that VA’s received a little more credit for their hard work.

Twitter users have taken to using the #IAmOnBoard2015 hashtag to express their desires for more recognition for voice actors, as well as recognition for other performances in games, including (but not limited to) stunts, mocap and singing work. Many high-profile voice actors have also tweeted the hashtag, including Robin Atkin Downes (Team Fortress 2, Skyrim), Tara Strong (Metal Gear Solid, Skylanders) and Ali Hillis (Mass Effect, Dragon Age: Inquisition.)

If You Believe Performance Quality Matters in Video Games, plz #Rt #iAmOnBoard2015

— Robin Atkin Downes (@Robin_A_Downes) March 2, 2015

If You Believe Performance Quality Matters in Video Games, Please #RT #IAmOnBoard2015

— tara strong (@tarastrong) March 2, 2015

#IAmOnBoard2015 is Trending!!! Thanks guys!! Keep it UP!!! #RT and make a difference!!!

— Ali Hillis (@missalihillis) March 2, 2015

The hashtag is apparently “a trend wave to support better union conditions for actors in interactive media” but is also being used to simply promote the importance of actors within the games industry. Its main tagline is, “Performance quality matters in video games.”

So, if you want to join in and help spread the word that acting is a key component of video games: hop onto Twitter and use #IAmOnBoard2015 to join in and show your support for the actors who’ve worked so hard to help create some of your favourite characters!

Photo Credit: Lex Lang