Voice Acting

Overview

Pearl Abyss revealed the full English voice cast for Crimson Desert on February 25, 2026, through a "Behind the Voices" video released during IGN Fan Fest. The cast features experienced performers from major game and television productions. All voice acting in the game is performed by human actors. Pearl Abyss has confirmed that no AI voice technology was used in any aspect of the production.

The voice cast was a closely guarded secret during the game's development. Pearl Abyss chose to reveal the actors in a dedicated video rather than through marketing materials, giving each actor a chance to discuss their character and approach to the role.

Confirmed English voice cast

Additional voice actors for supporting characters, NPCs, and other companions have not been individually announced but are included in the full production.

Actor insights

Alec Newman on Kliff

Newman described Kliff as possessing "a strong moral compass, a person who knows very clearly what is right and wrong." He noted that Kliff is initially taciturn but gradually becomes more open with his companions as the story progresses. The role required a range from quiet, intimate companion conversations to intense battle cries during boss encounters. Newman said the script gave Kliff genuine emotional depth beyond a typical action hero, particularly in scenes dealing with the loss of Gian and the responsibility of rebuilding the Greymanes. Newman found the combat system "impressive" and noted that experiencing the gameplay firsthand enhanced his immersion and delivery.

Newman won the BAFTA Games Award for Performer in a Leading Role at the 21st British Academy Games Awards in 2025 for his portrayal of Cameron "Caz" McLeary in Still Wakes the Deep, making him one of the most decorated game voice actors in the Crimson Desert cast.

Rebecca Hanssen on Damiane

Hanssen described Damiane as "down-to-earth yet fiercely headstrong." She channeled a "hardheaded side" of herself that contrasts with her personal tendency to avoid confrontation, finding the assertive character genuinely enjoyable to portray. She noted the character's dual nature: Damiane is equally comfortable with precise rapier work and the raw power of a musket blast. Hanssen's experience voicing EVE in Stellar Blade and Alfira in Baldur's Gate 3 informed her approach to giving Damiane a distinctive personality that players would connect with across dozens of hours of gameplay.

Stewart Scudamore on Oongka

Scudamore initially envisioned an exaggerated orc archetype, beastlike and ferocious. Through development, he discovered Oongka possessed philosophical depth and practical wisdom about how the world operates. "He's not just a mindless brute," Scudamore explained. "He sees the bigger picture." Scudamore's experience with ensemble RPG casts (Blackthorne in Final Fantasy XVI, multiple roles in Baldur's Gate 3, Calgar in Space Marine 2) helped him find the balance between Oongka's intimidating exterior and thoughtful interior.

Alastair Parker on Myurdin

Parker voiced Myurdin, the leader of the Black Bears and the game's primary antagonist. Myurdin's name is derived from the Welsh figure Myrddin Wyllt (associated with the Merlin legend), reflecting the Celtic and Welsh influences throughout Crimson Desert's world. Parker brought menace and conviction to a character who sees himself as a liberator rather than a villain, adding moral complexity to the central conflict. Parker is best known to RPG fans as Blackwall in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Languages

Crimson Desert features full voice acting in multiple languages. See Supported Languages and Localization for the complete language matrix. The English dub is the primary version for Western markets, with all dialogue, companion conversations, NPC interactions, and cutscenes fully voiced. Will Powers, Pearl Abyss's Director of Marketing, confirmed that all voice acting covers "all mainline NPC" dialogue, though he was careful not to claim 100% coverage for every minor NPC.

Performance capture

Pearl Abyss used performance capture technology alongside traditional voice recording for key story scenes. The BlackSpace Engine's facial animation system translates captured performances into in-game character expressions, particularly during close-up dialogue sequences and emotional cutscenes. This hybrid approach combines the nuance of physical performance with the flexibility of separate voice recording sessions.

No AI voice technology

Pearl Abyss explicitly stated that no AI-generated voice acting was used in Crimson Desert's production. All character voices, ambient NPC dialogue, combat vocalizations, and narrative sequences were performed by human actors. This commitment was highlighted during the voice cast reveal as a point of pride for the studio, with Pearl Abyss emphasizing the human element at a time when AI voice synthesis is increasingly used in the industry.