A few years back, when the creative minds behind “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” were first sketching out the game’s foundation, I can’t help but wonder if they truly grasped the enormity of their task. By opting for a full-likeness approach, they committed to ensuring the game’s hero wasn’t just any Indiana Jones but a character that looked, sounded, and moved like Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones. Specifically, they aimed to capture the essence of Indy from the beloved 1980s trilogy – the rugged adventurer in his prime, not the older version from the newer films.
It’s nothing short of amazing that any game like this comes together, and it’s downright miraculous that MachineGames managed to hit this ambitious target. Much of this success rests on the shoulders of Troy Baker. This renowned voice actor, known for bringing characters like Joel from “The Last of Us” and Sam Drake from “Uncharted 4” to life, faced a mighty challenge with Indiana Jones. After all, Indy is an iconic figure etched deeply in the public’s imagination, and anything less than a spot-on portrayal of Ford’s voice wouldn’t cut it.
Thanks to a recent video by BAFTA, we gain some fascinating insights into how Baker pulled this off. He approached the project with immersive dedication, arriving at the first table read – held virtually over Microsoft Teams due to the pandemic – with “Indiana Jones” as his screen name, complete with the fedora and bullwhip, as shared by cinematic producer Mitra Ashkan Far.
Both Far and voice-over designer Emily Hesler highlight the pivotal role of performance director Tom Keegan, whose impressive resume includes projects like the “Wolfenstein” and “Star Wars” games. Keegan had a knack for drawing performers into their roles, Hesler notes. In a particular segment of the 27-minute video around the 7:20 mark, she shares snippets of Baker’s voice work – brief but impactful moments that capture Indy’s essence as he takes a hit. Hesler credits this to the unique flair that Baker brings, making his performance remarkably reminiscent of Ford’s.
“It just screams Indy,” says Hesler, delighted by the clip. “There’s so much character in that sound, way more than just someone getting punched in the face.”
For Hesler, Baker’s vocal nuances convey not just a sense of frustration in those moments Indy finds himself in trouble, but also a strong undercurrent of resilience. It suggests that Indy is far from defeated, and he’s ready to turn the tables on his attacker.
“It’s got this breathiness to it,” Hesler muses. “Sure, there’s still tone, but there’s also this hint of annoyance. It’s all about that attitude, that unmistakable personality. And yes, Troy nails it perfectly.”
Even after countless hours spent immersed in “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,” I remain in awe of Baker’s portrayal, which earned him a share of the 2025 DICE Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character. For those eagerly waiting, the game is set to launch on PlayStation 5 this spring.
