James Voice Actor Speaks Out About Silent Hill 2 HD Re-Casting

CommentJune 10th, 2011 15:10

Yesterday it was reported that Konami’s Silent Hill HD Collection on PS3 will feature new voice performances, with the original voice work being re-done to compliment the HD release. This news has met with mixed reactions from fans, mainly due to the fact that changing the voices of characters like James, Maria and Heather will almost certainly alter the unique experience and atmosphere created by both Silent Hill 2 and 3.

TGL got in touch with Guy Cihi, the voice of Silent Hill 2 protagonist James Sunderland and asked him if he would be returning to voice James in the HD Collection and if he knew anything about being re-cast. He had some blunt words for Konami and made the following response:

“Konami knows that they owe me residuals for all previous unauthorized re-uses of my mocap and vocal performances. It would appear Konami is seeking to avoid further liability by changing the voice in their latest re-use of the SH2 materials. However, if any of my mocap appears in the new release, Konami will be liable for unauthorized reuse of my performance. Like Gump’s momma said, “Stupid is as stupid does.” It would have been much better for everyone had Konami simply made me a reasonable offer…”

He added further; “I’ll get around to seeking compensation through the courts one of these days. I simply don’t have the time for it right now. I hope this doesn’t bum out any fans… It’s just business as usual on the production side of games.”

The Silent Hill HD Collection will include HD remasters of both Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3. A release date  for the PS3 collection has yet to be announced.

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11 commentsTell us what you think...?
  • PheonoM
Comment on : June 10th, 2011 16:20

It’s a shame they couldn’t come to an agreement, because he seems like a decent chap!

  • Robert Dunne
Comment on : June 10th, 2011 22:00

This is so not cool.

  • Wanderer
Comment on : June 11th, 2011 16:47

I love Silent Hill 2. It is a shame that Konami have treated this man the way they have. Despite popular belief, voice actors don’t make a whole lot of money. It is probably for the best that Guy Cihi isn’t involved in this project, the Silent hill team have really let there work slide since the second installment. I will always love the original SH2 and the voice acting, and I always will.

It may not mean much, but thanks to Guy Cihi for his amazing contribution to an amazing game.

  • Anthony P
Comment on : June 11th, 2011 20:45

This article is getting some serious coverage on the US sites. Nice job TGL. Get more exclusives like this ;P

  • Shane Willoughby
Comment on : June 12th, 2011 02:27

Thanks for the kind words Ant, we do what we can….

  • Meh
Comment on : June 13th, 2011 09:49

Guy seems like a jerk and it’d be nice to get the other side of the story, because he doesn’t seem to be very mature. Plus “I’ll get around to seeking compensation through the courts one of these days. I simply don’t have the time for it right now” doesn’t sound like something a person with real, solid legal grievances would say.

Plus that weird Gump reference. You see this level of discourse in the comments sections of partisan political blogs. I almost expected him to call Konami “Connin’ Me” or something.

  • asdf
Comment on : June 19th, 2011 19:09

Oh, whatever the problem is, please use the original voice (Guy Cihi) for James. He had this out of touch with reality affect with his voice, which was perfect for James. Please keep the original voices in the HD Collection!

  • metal4ever
Comment on : June 23rd, 2011 12:08

@meh

Guy Cihi got ripped off dude.

http://thegamingliberty.com/index.php/2010/10/30/james-sunderland-speaks-tgl-interview-with-guy-cihi/

From what I’ve heard he’s very in touch with his fans via FB and even helping a fan project on YouTube.

  • James.
Comment on : August 26th, 2011 21:24

@Wanderer: The Silent Hill Team? There has actually been multiple teams. Team Silent, which made games 1-4 (although 4 was never meant to be a SH game), Climax Studios, that made Origins and Shattered Memories, Double Helix Games, that made Homecoming, and Vatra Games, which is making the upcoming Downpour. I thought the change in developers was fairly obvious considering how different every developer’s version of Silent Hill is. I do agree the series has gone downhill since then though, but I personally thought 3 was pretty good as well and that it started going downhill at 4 and beyond. (4 because it wasn’t meant to be a SH game, and beyond because each team since hasn’t been able to do Silent Hill quite like Team Silent)

  • abercrombie
Comment on : September 7th, 2011 13:33

This article is getting some serious coverage on the US sites. Nice job TGL. Get more exclusives like this ;P

Comment on : September 19th, 2011 16:29

I find it amusing that only one person says poor Guy sounds like a jerk. I doubt “meh” realizes what a massive amount of effort & time going through the court system is like: it’s no joke. Most people don’t bother; myself I was ripped off $500 on a house deal and we were clearly in the right… but we never did anything about it because of the immense hassle. (I have gone through a tough legal battle for years before this as well).

Anyway, I’m a huge SH2 fan and this does indeed “bum me out”. I won’t be supporting the re-release, like I thought I would, and I’m letting everyone know about this article and various others I’ve found. Keep up the good work!

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