(Image credit: Kepler Interactive)
The English voice cast of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 faced quite the amusing hurdle when attempting to pronounce the game’s French terms. Actor Ben Starr playfully suggests that players can opt to experience the acclaimed game with its French voice acting, noting that “their French is a little bit better.”
In a conversation with GamesRadar+, star Jennifer English (interestingly, not Jennifer French) compared the situation to a famous scene in Friends where Phoebe attempts to teach Joey French. “We ended up repeating the same phrases over and over,” she mused, laughingly recalling how the recording booth echoed with, “Putain, no, putain!”
Starr, who is also recognized for his leading role in Final Fantasy 16, explained the process: “I had to ask [game director Broche Guillaume] to demonstrate the French names, which I then echoed to the best of my ability. Sometimes, words like ‘Francois’ felt challenging. It’s essential to do the language justice.
Guillaume shared insights in a behind-the-scenes vlog, declaring that the “best part” of the recording was encouraging the cast to nail words like ‘merde’ and ‘putain’. He fondly remembered teaching them proper pronunciation, a task riddled with comedic attempts to roll Rs. For those keen on a chuckle, this video is a gem to watch.
Interestingly, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s director isn’t just about gaming narratives; his YouTube channel is packed with impressive Devil May Cry 5 challenge runs. Weekly digests and tales from beloved gaming communities highlight his diverse interests and talents.