Clair Obscur Cast Calls for Mocap Award at TGA 2025
The critically acclaimed game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a record-breaker for nominations at The Game Awards, is making headlines not just for its unparalleled success but for its cast's urgent call for industry-wide change. As The Game Awards (TGA) 2025 fast approaches, prominent actors from the game's stellar ensemble are championing a significant expansion of performance categories, particularly advocating for a dedicated motion capture (mocap) award. This push for greater recognition aims to shine a much-needed spotlight on the often-overlooked craft that brings modern video game characters to life.
Mocap Revolution: A New Era for Game Acting?
In a recent interview, several key performers from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 articulated their desire for The Game Awards to evolve. While acknowledging the immense honor of their current nominations, actors Jennifer English, Shayla Nyx, Devora Wilde, and Aliona Baranova collectively voiced concerns that the existing performance accolades fail to encompass the full spectrum of talent involved in game development.
Aliona Baranova, who notably served as a motion capture director on the monumental Baldur's Gate 3, was particularly vocal. "If I may, can I put my petition forward for why we need to have a motion capture category?" Baranova stated, highlighting a decades-long issue where mocap performers' contributions often go unnoticed when their physical performances are later combined with different voice actors. She underscored how this lack of visibility prevents audiences from truly understanding the intricate craft behind game acting and discourages studios from showcasing crucial behind-the-scenes development.
Industry Voices Echo the Sentiment
The sentiment extends beyond Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's groundbreaking success, which saw it become the most-nominated title in TGA history, garnering major recognition for its cast including Ben Starr, Charlie Cox, and Jennifer English. Actor Charlie Cox, despite being "thrilled" with his own TGA nomination for Expedition 33, publicly affirmed that credit for his role must be shared with motion capture performer Maxence Carzole. Cox's powerful endorsement amplifies the growing chorus for separate recognition.
Devora Wilde echoed the long-standing nature of the issue, remarking on her surprise that The Game Awards had not yet addressed it, suggesting it has "always been the case" that performance was treated as a single, undifferentiated category. The cast firmly believes that creating a distinct mocap category would not only honor these integral artists but also encourage greater transparency and appreciation for the complex art form from studios and the wider gaming community.
The Game Awards: A Pivotal Moment for Change
As the gaming world gears up for The Game Awards, streaming live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on December 11, the calls for expanded performance categories place a significant focus on the event's role in shaping industry standards. With public voting already underway for the 2025 awards, the debate ignited by the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cast injects a compelling new dimension into the celebration of gaming excellence. The industry is watching to see if TGA will respond to this powerful, united appeal for more comprehensive recognition of the diverse talents that drive interactive entertainment forward.