J'Zargo sounds like a glamourized Spanish accent and not like any catmen I know.

@OP,

I think this guy up here pretty much says it all. I think the premisse of what you deem to be 'authentic' is almost an oxymoron, because in a fantasy world is impossible to have an actual frame of reference, therefore the word 'authenticity' seems moot. But I get the feeling that the word is not even the problem, I think you meant just a general feeling of the accents being somewhat off, and I can respect that point (even tough I disagree wholeheartedly). More than that, you'd be right to point out some general resemblances (not only in terms of accent, but also names and sometimes even cultural traits) between bretons and french, for example. We can't escape some level of reference to our real world, be it Skyrim or any other work.

That being said, to be even more honest, I think it's arbitrary to equate races other than humans (Elves etc.) with accents of smaller, less mainstream countries. The problem imho seems to be the fact that american accents in general seem too commonplace, certainly because of its overuse, due to the fact that american culture is still so prevalent all around the world. But some good examples of well done american accented voices are still out there (which I know you're not disagreeing, I understood the point of your thread).

On that note, I'd ask you finally, can you give me some examples as to which voices annoyed most and why they seemed out of place? This seems like an interesting discussion nonetheless.

Wow nice bigot topic. RPG's have no nationality. Its a fantasy game, which means its not based on reality. I hope they keep using the superior american voice actors just to spite you.

Max von Sydow is Swedish

LOL this just proves how stupid this topic is. So what accent should a talking dog have?

I'm not too fussed about the American voice acting in-game.
I am somewhat annoyed that there's no Scandinavian accents at all though..
It sounds a bit like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDe0xQN1XSE - People trying to sound Scandinavian without even knowing what they're supposed to sound like.
It sounds fairly acceptable for non-Scandinavians, but is absolutely hilarious for people who do understand it :rofl:

Unless it's set in the real world, I don't much care what accents they used. Really, this is quite a dumb topic.

At least I know that to get the forum's attention, mention America. xD I should do that when I make a new thread. Have the mini-title below the main title say "AMERICA!!!" to get people to notice. ROFLMAO

Again, while it is BASED on Earth ideas and concepts... the accuracy is completely irrelevant. Just because it is based on some Earth ideas does not mean it has to be accurate to Earth, it is a story. Fiction. No past!

LOL, you guys are taking this way to seriously. I just think the American accent breaks the authentic feel of the game in my own view, I didn't say I wouldn't play the game because of it. As I said as well, I said the same about other games and one of the real bad issues is when British English actors speak with American accented words, like in Gothic 4.

It doesn't just happen in games, it happens in movies as well. It's a amazing to watch one of my favourites actors (Harrison Ford) pull off the worse Russian accent I've ever heard. There are some talented American voice actors out there, maybe Bethesda should have employed them instead of using accents from Alice in Wonderland talking dogs.

That makes you sound like a bigot.

And what are you comparing this "American" accent to?

Were you around during the Oblivion Crisis as well? What accent did the Daedra have? My guess is Russian.

I was only trying to get you to understand that a fake world's accuracy is in any way judged by how things work here now, or in the past on Earth.

It seems you get it now, it is a personal opinion. It is not a matter of accuracy, fact, development knowledge, or any other silly comment which has been made.

LOL :rofl:

I don't mind the accents except when they change for a character. As long as they're consistent, that's good enough for me.

That's a rather hard question to answer because you can say that about everything in the game. Bethesda use ancient history as a base for their fantasy but use modern American accents for their voices. Maybe they should have added modern materials like aluminium and titanium because it's fantasy right?

You obviously didn't read my post which you quoted, or you didn't understand it...


That has never been what I'm arguing. What I've said is that while they (unavoidably) use English as the language of TES, there are also certain unavoidable expectations regarding accents in the English language.

This is a work of fiction - which is why we are able to discuss our 'suspension of disbelief' (or immersion) at all. But if you design a character who is a noble, you will not hire a cockney voice actor. Bethesda understood this, which is why they attempted to give Skyrim the right 'feel' with the Nordic accents.

I am not saying TES is based in reality. I'm saying we are real, playing a game which we want to lose ourselves in, and as such certain expectations have to be met regarding our suspension of disbelief. It is not an adequate argument to say "this isn't earth", and then sit back and smirk at how clever you are (I'm not suggesting you here Gerrard). They are speaking English, which means we will have preconceived ideas about what accents are appropriate.

you do realize that none of the races in TES really exist in real life right?

How exactly do you know which accents should be 'authentic' for a fake land?

All accents evolve over time. Modern European accents are just as different from medieval accents as American accents. If they truly used medieval accents, you wouldn't understand a single thing being said, period.

There are a lot things in the game that are not based off real life but there are also things that are but to say it's all fantasy is simply not true. Game developers research real life history and workings to make their game and a lot of them miss the mark by adding such elements without properly thinking it though. If you want your game to appeal to Americans with their accents, you shouldn't be making games.

Ur uninformed...before you write a post like this - you should compile a list to back up your assertion with facts...you know Max Von Sydow(not born in the US) is in the game right - bet you didn't know that or you would have listed him in your thread - I think ur dumb. The key, main voice actors will probably surprise you as to their homeland origins#1 and #2 What products are made overseas anyway...actors come here to get famous...not actors from US go to UK or wherever you are from to get famous...seriously. you are entitled to your opinion that the voice actors don't sound "Nord" enough - and you may be right - But while the United States remains to be one of the most product consuming economies in the world - business will have to bend to what will make them money and marketing a game with THICK Nord accents to American consumers is dumb all around so THERE....YOU....Go...

By history and Americans where not around when smithing and making weapons by hand where done. Elder Scrolls has all the hall marks of an ancient game, there is nothing modern about it. American is a modern form of British English, change to suit modern America. 20th century things do not fit in this game and that's my point.

Smithing still exists.
Making weapons by hand still exists.


Arguement is invalid, try again.

When were British people around during the enchantment era?

It doesn't matter that it exists now so does cooking meat, so try again in proper context this time.