Unveiling the Secret Ingredient: How Jennifer Hale and David Hayter Redefine Morality in Mass Effect and SWTOR!

One notable aspect of roleplaying games is the dialogue tree, a system that enables players to select from a range of dialogue options when their character interacts with other in-game characters. This game mechanic originated from pen-and-paper roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons, where players would attempt to deceive non-player characters and roll dice to determine the success of their deception. Nowadays, this mechanic is often combined with a morality system, allowing players to make choices that align them with either "good" or "bad" behavior.

In an interview with Game Rant, actors Jennifer Hale and David Hayter, who both have roles in the highly anticipated PSVR2 exclusive game Synapse, shared their insights on voicing characters in games that feature branching dialogue trees with morality systems. Jennifer Hale is well-known for her portrayal of the female Commander Shepard in Mass Effect and the female Trooper in Star Wars: The Old Republic, while David Hayter brought the male Jedi Knight in Star Wars: The Old Republic to life.

Jennifer Hale Sees Mass Effect's Paragon And Renegade Shepard As The Same Person

Sometimes, you wake up feeling fantastic, ready to take on the world. Other times, you wake up and just want to be left alone for a while. But no matter how you feel, you're still the same person. You can start the day with one mindset, and in an instant, something can happen that completely changes your perspective.

Hale's portrayal of Shepard's character is incredibly effective because the choices between "good" and "bad" options don't result in completely different personas. Many players recommend taking a "Paragade" approach when playing the Mass Effect trilogy, which involves making a mix of both Paragon and Renegade choices. This is because Shepard, like any individual, can experience a range of emotions and may not always lean towards optimism or cynicism. For instance, even if a predominantly Renegade Shepard chooses to offer comfort and embrace Tali during a heartfelt moment (a Paragon choice), it doesn't seem contradictory or out of character.

David Hayter Views Star Wars: The Old Republic's Dialogue Choices As Different Journeys

In Star Wars: The Old Republic, the dialogue choices in relation to the Light Side and the Dark Side of the Force bring out the moral extremes more prominently. This distinction allows players to lean towards either extreme, even enabling the Jedi Knight to embody evil if desired. As a result, these differing paths are viewed by David Hayter as distinct journeys for the character.

Although I almost use the same voice for all the options, I can't help but feel that they possess different personalities. One of them resembles Han Solo, while the Light Side responses are heroic yet somewhat unremarkable - they never stray from the typical "May the Force be with You" type of dialogue. On the other hand, the cynical character is more like, "What's wrong with you?" which adds an element of enjoyment. The moments when I fully embrace the Dark Side and exclaim, "I am going to destroy you!" are arguably even more enjoyable to perform.

The characters I portray have unique experiences and personalities, which makes the delivery of their lines diverse and interesting. Some of them have humorous and frustrating journeys, adding depth to their performances.

When it comes to playing the antagonist, Hayter discovered that it was more enjoyable to embrace the Dark Side. This is because the hero, who follows the Light Side, can sometimes come across as uninteresting due to the Jedi Order's strict emphasis on emotional detachment. However, regardless of the character's alignment, the inclusion of branching dialogue allows players to choose their own path and fully appreciate the exceptional acting talents of David Hayter and Jennifer Hale during subsequent playthroughs.