Crimson Desert Kliff actor says video game acting wasn't treated as "proper acting" by peers who are now asking how to get into the industry

May 17, 2026 - 03:14

Alec Newman, the actor behind Kliff in the upcoming fantasy epic Crimson Desert, says that video game performance used to be looked down upon by his fellow actors. In a recent interview, Newman recalled a time when colleagues in the film and television world did not treat voice work or motion capture as "proper acting." He noted that many of those same peers have since changed their tune and are now asking him how they can break into the industry.

Newman explained that the craft required for video games is every bit as demanding as traditional on-camera work. He pointed to the physical endurance needed for long motion capture sessions and the emotional precision required to deliver a performance with no physical set or scene partner. Despite the growing prestige of game roles, Newman said the shift in perception has been slow. He described the early days of his career in the medium as a time when actors would take game jobs quietly, almost apologetically.

Now, with blockbuster titles rivaling Hollywood productions in budget and storytelling, the landscape has changed. Newman noted that the same actors who once questioned the legitimacy of video game acting are now actively seeking advice on how to land roles. He sees this as validation of the art form, but also a sign that the industry still has room to grow in how it treats performers. The conversation highlights a broader cultural shift as video games continue to cement their place as a dominant entertainment medium.