Interview: Aaron Paul Talks Dispatch and Reconnecting With the World of Gaming

by

At first glance, *Dispatch* seems like other interactive story games, but it’s special because it’s the first game from AdHoc Studio—and it has a really original idea. AdHoc Studio was founded in 2018 by experienced developers from companies like Telltale Games, Ubisoft, and Night School Studio, and they’re launching *Dispatch*, a funny look at the lives of superheroes at work, on October 22nd. *Breaking Bad*’s Aaron Paul stars as Robert Robertson. After his powerful mech-suit is damaged in a battle with his enemy, Robertson loses his superhero status and is forced to work as a dispatcher for a chaotic group of heroes at a central dispatch center.

Aaron Paul, famous for his roles in TV shows like *Breaking Bad*, *BoJack Horseman*, and *Westworld*, is making his video game debut with *Dispatch*. While he used to be a passionate gamer, he hadn’t played in years. He recently told Game Rant that he’s happy to be back, and considers this a great way to return to gaming. This transcript of the interview has been shortened and clarified for easier reading.

Aaron Paul Joins the Gaming World for the First Time in Dispatch

I was asked how I first became aware of Dispatch and what specifically attracted me to the project that led me to agree to participate.

I’ve always been a fan of gaming, and I’ve had opportunities to work on games before, but none of them felt like the right fit. I also really enjoy animation, so I’m used to high-quality work in that area. This project, though, seemed perfect. There was a lot to read – eight very lengthy scripts – but they included a fantastic preview and a beautifully animated scene with some initial voice acting. I immediately connected with the overall feel of the project.

I was really excited about this project because the team involved was incredibly talented and experienced. When I read the scripts, especially knowing Jeffrey Wright was on board, I immediately understood why. The story was just fantastic – a really fun and funny ride, but also surprisingly moving and impactful. The more I read, the more I connected with the characters and became invested in their journeys. It quickly became clear this was a project I couldn’t pass up; it was a perfect fit.

Q: And this is your first video game performance, correct?

So, I finally got around to playing my very first video game! It’s been on my list for ages. I used to be a huge gamer, and there was just something special about the feeling games gave me – you can’t really find that anywhere else. I’ve mentioned it before, but when the original *Resident Evil* came out, I’d play it late at night. It felt like *being* in a horror movie, and honestly, it was incredibly thrilling!

I haven’t really played games myself for a while, but my brother is a huge gamer – he plays daily! That’s how he connects with his friends, and I think that’s what makes the gaming community so great. It’s a chance to make friends with people from all over the world through a shared hobby, and I’m happy to be joining in now.

Well, it seems like you chose a good first project.

I’m really excited for people to finally play it! It’s a choose-your-own-adventure game, which is awesome. The cool thing is, they’re releasing it in parts over several weeks. You won’t be able to finish it all at once! Each week brings a new section, and after about four or five weeks, the whole game will be available. This gives players a chance to replay and explore different storylines, and I think they’ll be really surprised by how those choices play out.

Dispatch’s Robert Robertson and the Game’s Powerhouse Cast

When you first learn about Robert Robertson’s history – how he went from being a superhero to working as a dispatcher – what aspects of his character, beyond his heroic deeds, really struck you?

I’m drawn to characters who are struggling with difficult emotions and past experiences, and learning to overcome them. That’s a big reason why I took on this role. This story really excels at showing us that it’s okay to make mistakes – in fact, it’s essential. But the key is to learn from those mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth.

I noticed Robert’s sarcastic tone in the demo, which I assume was an early part of the game. Given that *Dispatch* mixes superhero action with workplace humor, could you talk about how you balanced those different tones and made sure they worked together?

He’s really struggling to cope with this new situation and a lot of his sarcasm stems from that frustration. He’s always been a bit sarcastic, but it’s amplified now that he’s suddenly in charge of a group of former villains – people he used to fight and imprison! While his Mecha Man suit is being repaired, he’s stuck trying to manage them, which is incredibly annoying.

The game features a fantastic cast, including Jeffrey Wright, Laura Bailey, and Matt Mercer. Did working with such talented actors affect how you developed the character of Robert?

I was really excited when I got involved. Jeffrey had already committed, and Laura Bailey joined shortly after me, which was fantastic – she’s a huge and respected name in gaming. After reading the scripts and seeing a preview of the scenes, it was immediately clear why Jeffrey was so enthusiastic about the project.

Q: And what was your chemistry like with Jeffrey Wright?

To be honest, I’ve known this person for a long time. We worked together on *Westworld* for years, but it took two years to record *Dispatch* because we all recorded our parts separately. It was a challenge telling the story from so many different angles, and coordinating everyone’s schedules was nearly impossible. Luckily, I sometimes got to hear what other actors had already recorded, though not always – sometimes I was the first one in the studio and they hadn’t finished their parts yet.

Since this is your first video game project, what was the most surprising thing about the script for Dispatch? Was there anything about it that you didn’t anticipate?

I hadn’t worked on a choose-your-own-adventure project before, and the sheer amount of writing was daunting. The scripts were incredibly long, and recording took much longer than expected. I originally thought we’d finish recording in a few months, but it actually took two years! Still, I’m really happy with how it turned out.

It was a pleasure working with everyone on this project – that’s not always the case, but it definitely was with *Dispatch*. We’re all incredibly proud of the game and excited to finally share it with the world. The initial reaction has been fantastic, and we believe players will really connect with it once it’s released.

Do you see any part of yourself in the character of Robert, or did you find a personal connection while playing him?

Absolutely. To be honest, he’s going through some personal struggles, and I think we all can relate to that. It’s important to acknowledge what’s happened in the past, otherwise you’re just avoiding the truth. We all carry baggage from past experiences, and he’s really dealing with the aftermath of trauma. He’s working hard to overcome it, learn from it, and move forward, and I can definitely understand that.

I mentioned this before, but learning from mistakes is crucial – even more so than achieving success. Mistakes offer opportunities for growth, and by facing them head-on, we can improve and become stronger.

[END]

The first episode of Dispatch releases on PC and PlayStation 5 on October 22, 2025.

Read More

2025-10-16 17:13