Star Wars Outlaws Descriptive Video Works interview: “it makes for a very wonderful experience”

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In terms of high-budget AAA video games, few are as grand as Star Wars Outlaws. This epic game is a result of the collaboration between the most renowned sci-fi franchise ever and Massive Entertainment, backed by Ubisoft. Our very own Chris White was so captivated by it that he included it in his list of Games of the Year. Furthermore, it received significant acclaim for its exceptional accessibility options, such as audio narration.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Jenna Jennissary from Descriptive Video Works and Ramya Amuthan, the audio narrator for Star Wars Outlaws. The conversation was truly enjoyable. We discussed how they add audio descriptions to video games like Star Wars Outlaws, which earned a nomination for Innovation in Accessibility. Now, let’s dive into the topic.

Was it significant for us to contribute to creating a game like “Outlaws” that could be enjoyed by the vast number of Star Wars enthusiasts who adore the franchise?

Jenna: Absolutely, the importance of Star Wars cannot be overstated for us. There’s a significant number of blind and low-vision gamers eagerly awaiting any release with accessibility in mind. These individuals are not only avid gamers but also bloggers and streamers. Whenever there’s a hint of accessibility or a sneak peek at an accessible feature in a video game, console development, or even an accessible controller, they show tremendous excitement. Hence, it’s like hitting two birds with one stone that Star Wars, something they adore, is also associated with these accessibility efforts.

Star Wars franchise, over the last few years, seems to be progressively enhancing its inclusivity, not just in representation but also making sure more people can access and appreciate this media. Ubisoft is also excelling in this area. Together, they create a delightful, inclusive experience for all.

Have you ever heard a game with more captivating audio narration than Star Wars Outlaws? I’m curious about the method they used to select actors and write the script for this game.

Jenna: Absolutely, I can handle that aspect as one of the three writers, technically speaking, who contributed to Star Wars Outlaws, including the recently released DLC. Audio description in media like films and television has been prevalent for quite some time, but it’s only been integrated into video games within the past two years. It’s still relatively fresh, and since every game engine is unique, the process will vary for each one.

Instead of writing a single piece of media from beginning to end, you’re faced with numerous videos that require you to analyze and explain the cinematic elements incorporated into the game. Furthermore, you must gather supplementary information to flesh out the narrative that occurs between these cinematics.

In Star Wars Outlaws, audio descriptions are limited to specific cinematics but not during gameplay. Therefore, supplementary resources are required to identify characters, understand their backstory, and follow the sequence of events, as some characters may have been introduced outside of these cinematics and certain elements are unique to the Star Wars universe.

After gathering all the scripts, we’d forward them to our talented narrator, Ramya. One of the main hurdles she encountered was having to handle a barrage of pronunciations for various characters, races, and distinctive Star Wars universe artifacts.


 

Ramya: Indeed, it turned out to be quite enjoyable. At times, we’d ponder, “What could the right sound be?” Then, we’d say, “Let’s not speculate, let’s seek someone’s opinion instead.

Jenna: We needed to check with Ubisoft a few times because some races weren’t clearly identified in the video or audio content. All we had were textual references, so we had to ask them for the correct pronunciation since we couldn’t figure it out ourselves.

Among various hurdles encountered, I believe one of the most significant challenges was preserving consistency throughout all the separate sections. From a literary standpoint, it’s crucial to identify when new characters are introduced, their pronoun usage, and their unique species or origins. Additionally, Ramya, you faced the task of keeping the narrative voice consistent across what might have been consecutive scenes.

Ramya: Absolutely! Narration in Star Wars Outlaw involves a lot of action and conflict scenes, whether it’s dialogue or gameplay. It can be challenging to fit descriptions into short moments, such as two to three seconds, while maintaining the pace of the action. However, it’s essential to convey these details effectively. I often work closely with the audio engineer to achieve this balance, and we enjoy experimenting with different tones. For instance, instead of a happy tone, I might need to deliver lines with fear, as in “Do that again, but make her sound scared instead.

It’s intriguing to consider the possibility of having a blind narrator, as this could offer a unique perspective that sighted narrators might not have. Typically, people may have the advantage of visually observing events before narrating them, providing a cinematic or visual context. However, a blind narrator would rely on other senses and experiences to create their narrative, potentially resulting in a more immersive and imaginative storytelling experience.

For me, that’s not always true. Often, the space available for narration and the script are my main guides. It can feel like a rather straightforward recording process, with potential background noise to contend with and the need to seamlessly fit or adjust pieces as needed, but not every time. On occasion, I find myself essentially improvising based on the limited context provided.

Jenna: Working on game scripts can be challenging because by the time I review the game, it’s never fully completed. There are always elements missing, such as sounds or music that haven’t been added yet. For instance, there might be an explosion on screen but no sound effect has been created for it. Or, there may be dramatic music meant to build suspense, but it hasn’t been inserted into the game yet. This can make it hard to understand the scene’s mood and the director’s intentions. We do our best with the information we have available.

When discussing various aspects of the game that presented unique difficulties for audio narration, could you share some specific Star Wars Outlaws scenes that stood out as particularly challenging during production?

Ramya: That’s an intriguing query. Since I don’t recall every scene, it’s fascinating to ponder. To truly grasp where my voice fits in, I suspect I’d need to actually play the game, if I’m completely honest. It’s like narrating a story before you’ve read the entire script or fully grasped the narrative arcs. I’ve experienced this with movies too. And later, when I watch the movie, I realize how much off-base I was.

Jenna: But you are your own worst critic. I think you did an excellent job.

Ramya: I appreciate your question. For me, the most challenging part was portraying intense scenes such as conflicts, fights, or actions, because I needed to convey emotions like urgency or anger convincingly, while also trying to anticipate the characters’ feelings and ensure my performance aligns with the scene’s overall tone.

I loved anything with Nix though. Nix was cute, anything Nix does is adorable.

Jenna: Hey Ramiya, I want to praise you for a moment because I believe you’re unduly harsh on yourself. While I’ve been playing the game and am nearly done with it, I haven’t found any instances where your narrative tone didn’t quite fit the scene. In fact, I think you did an outstanding job! Let me give you an example – just a few days ago, I encountered my favorite scene, and I must say, you really nailed it.

Without giving away too much, this part of the game contains a surprising event towards its conclusion. Proceed with caution if you haven’t reached this point yet. In the closing moments, Sliro is found in his office when suddenly Darth Vader enters unannounced. It’s a captivating scene as Darth Vader exhibits his signature force abilities, intimidating Imperial officers without uttering many words. The scene is particularly noteworthy because of the dramatic way he shatters all the glass in the room and makes it float menacingly. Your portrayal of the ominous atmosphere during this scene was spot-on, Ramya. I must add that the minimal dialogue allowed for a powerful visual storytelling experience, and I consider it my favorite performance you delivered.

Ramya: Appreciated! In addition, I was about to mention that I particularly enjoy sharing tales, focusing more on narrative and storytelling rather than simply detailing actions. It’s like painting a picture with words instead of just depicting action sequences. I found it engaging for narration. Also, there were some peaceful intervals in the game, not just constant fight scenes. During those tranquil moments, I had the opportunity to elaborate on the surroundings, which was delightful to describe.

As a game enthusiast, I’m well aware that financial and temporal limitations often hinder the full realization of ideas when working on active game development. If money were no object and time was not a factor, one audio feature I’d love to incorporate would be immersive narration throughout the game to enhance the player’s experience and draw them deeper into the game world.

Jenna: I really appreciate this question! My preference is to fully exploit the potential of audio description. In recent years, developers have creatively applied audio description in AAA games. However, I’d love to witness an extension of this, such as descriptions that aren’t bound by time limits.

To clarify, are you asking about the customization options for character appearances, settings, and menu designs, such as font style, color contrast, and overall aesthetic? For instance, is the font scripted or high contrast neon, does it resemble a flickering neon sign, or perhaps there are other unique design elements to note? I believe these aspects should be highlighted for a more immersive gaming experience.

Ramya: Absolutely correct! For me, a video game is more than just mechanics. It’s the atmosphere or vibe that truly captivates me. You know, when I play or even turn up a game, I get immersed, transported to another world.

In terms of audio description, it’s not only about what lets me play the game but also about exploring every aspect of it. I want to know details like what my weapons look and feel like, how my character holds them, and so on. However, that’s just the basics. A video game offers much more than that, doesn’t it?

Additionally, as you mentioned, aspects such as the visual appeal of game environments, various settings, and fight scenes’ choreography significantly contribute to a player’s overall gaming experience – elements we aren’t fully exploiting at present. This immersive quality is not readily accessible; instead, one might need to capture screenshots and analyze them with AI or share the experience with someone else who is playing simultaneously, discussing the aesthetics and what makes those games appealing. However, during my childhood gaming days, I would have loved the opportunity to revisit those games and understand precisely how I was interacting within them.

Jenna: It’s not only about having something functional, but also about achieving a fully immersive experience. Moreover, let’s initiate the hashtag campaign: #ExpressTheAtmosphere.


 

It feels fantastic to be involved with a project like Star Wars Outlaws, which has been recognized for its innovative accessibility efforts at The Game Awards. It’s truly rewarding to know our work in this area is being celebrated and appreciated.

Ramya: Absolutely! It’s fantastic to consider how accessibility discussions impact major game productions, corporations, and virtual universes in the gaming industry. When we ponder about accessibility within immense gaming landscapes or vast opportunities for games, it’s monumental. It’s crucial for the community, significant for dialogue, essential for future advancements in empowerment and influence, and inspiring regarding accessibility. As Jenna and I have mentioned during our discussions, we desire more exposure to these conversations. So, the greater its dissemination, the better. We want to engage with these dialogues. Wasn’t the audio description in this amazing? Or didn’t you notice that there was audio description in video games at all? Whoever is discussing it, right? Then the impact multiplies as prominent media outlets cover it and awards are bestowed upon it.

Jenna: Ubisoft truly merits the accolades they’ve received. They have dedicated considerable effort not only to vision-related accessibility but also to other features. This dedication has earned them several nominations at the Game Accessibility Conference Awards. As Ramya mentioned, it’s heartening to observe accessibility becoming a more prevalent topic in mainstream discussions. It indicates that the focus on accessibility is becoming increasingly relevant and significant in our cultural zeitgeist.

It’s more common for people to delve into the various settings within a video game rather than investigate spoken language options on popular streaming platforms, where audio description is available. It’s great that individuals may unintentionally discover this feature, which could significantly aid them, as they might not have been aware of it before.

Appreciate the time given by Jenna and Ramya. Exciting news! Star Wars Outlaws is available right now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X.

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2025-01-24 17:17