It’s a little bit of a operating joke that Warframe artistic director Rebecca Ford is “gathering voice actors like Infinity Stones.”
In simply a short while, the beloved developer has recruited the likes of Last Fantasy XVI‘s Ben Starr (Clive Rosfield), Resident Evil‘s Nick Apostolides (Leon S. Kennedy), Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Amelia Tyler (narrator) and Mario‘s Kevin Afghani (Mario and different voices) for Warframe. Ford has additionally made no secret of her love for Last Fantasy XIV, and, particularly, fan-favourite Shadowbringers villain Emet-Selch, and so, it’s solely becoming that his performer, René Zagger, was one of many newest actors to affix Warframe as Vice Regent Grand Carnus Roathe in final 12 months’s The Previous Peace growth.
At TennoCon 2026 final weekend in its hometown of London, Ont., developer Digital Extremes (DE) introduced out Zagger and a number of other different actors to have fun each Warframe and Soulframe with the neighborhood. Throughout the conference, MobileSyrup sat down with Zagger to be taught extra about his experiences becoming a member of the world of Warframe, the overlaps between the large communities of each Warframe and Last Fantasy XIV, parallels between Emet-Selch and Roathe, his Toronto tourism plans, and extra.
What do you know about Warframe and the recognition of the sport getting in?
René Zagger. (Picture credit score: René Zagger)
René Zagger: I knew concerning the recreation, after which by way of my agent, it was a casting, self-tape recording for an performing job. And it was a really detailed transient of what they wished from the character. And it was so layered, and the character was actually cool. It was “Peter O’Toole meets Paul Bettany with a contact of Russell Crowe from Grasp and Commander.” So it was very clear what they had been searching for. After which when you see the edges and also you’ve bought the dialogue, all of it simply takes off. After which being right here and discovering form of its response… As a result of I’m very a lot a kind of actors the place I do a job, I end it, after which I transfer on to the subsequent one. I battle watching myself in issues I’ve carried out prior to now.
So to then go and discover snippets of what I’ve recorded, I at all times discover that the extra I benefit from the course of of creating one thing, the much less I then need to hear it or see it as a result of I don’t need it to remove from the enjoyment of creating one thing. I needed to file 5 – 6 four-hour classes, and from the very first one, the character simply took off. And so we had a variety of enjoyable. I used to be in London — UK London — recording, and there was Rebecca, there was [writer] Kat [Kingsley], and there was another person. There’s about 4 individuals at all times Zooming in. It was simply me and the engineer in a stunning little studio in London.
Rebecca’s made no secret that she’s such a giant fan of Last Fantasy XIV and Emet-Selch. However out of your perspective, what did you need to convey to the character?
Zagger: I had completely no concept that that was the case! It got here to me as a casting, as an audition, with that transient. And I feel the second-from-last session that I needed to do, and I feel this was December, Rebecca was coming to UK London, so we met and had a espresso. And it was solely then that I found that. So I didn’t deliberately go, “Proper, I’m going to make him sound like him [Emet].” However the transient was so to the mark, I simply form of dedicated to that. However yeah, Rebecca’s been completely fantastic. She was there from the very first recording session.
What was the collaboration like with the DE group?
Roathe. (Picture credit score: Digital Extremes)
Zagger: Improbable. They couldn’t have been extra supportive. As a performer, as an actor, a very powerful factor is a transparent, outlined character to play with the backstory, and that’s what I bought. So I like form of delving deep and discovering out issues a few character, the place he’s come from, the place he’s going. So for me, it was all there, and Warframe has at all times been such a longtime recreation that Roathe was simply sliding into this and bringing The Previous Peace to life.
One thing that unites each Last Fantasy XIV and Warframe is that they’re each recognized for having constructive and welcoming communities. You don’t at all times see that in video games — they’ll usually be a poisonous place. However these video games, particularly, are sometimes fairly praised. Out of your perspective, being in each of these franchises, what’s it been like to affix these communities and meet the followers?
Zagger: [laughs] So that is the primary time I’m assembly followers from any recreation I’ve ever carried out, and I’ve carried out a number of video games. I’ve at all times been reluctant to form of, “What do individuals suppose?” It’s a harmful place to be. The minute you form of learn one little destructive factor, it is going to break all of the constructive issues that you simply’ve learn. So I’m open to it, however I don’t go actively searching for it. And each every now and then, somebody will ship me somewhat soundbite or somewhat snippet of a response or a response, and it’s superb. It’s pretty. I can’t think about being a part of one thing the place the neighborhood isn’t constructive, or isn’t forthcoming, or isn’t rewarding of their feedback. So, what I’m discovering from the Warframe neighborhood is just love and help, which is gorgeous.
To that time, because it’s not one thing that you simply’ve essentially dabbled in that a lot… I’m a giant Last Fantasy fan, and I bought into XIV over the previous couple of years. I’ve performed virtually all of the Last Fantasy video games and even on this 40-year-old franchise, individuals suppose that Emet-Selch is likely one of the finest characters in all of the video games.
Zagger: Actually? [laughs]
Yeah! So I’m curious, have you ever seen a lot of that form of response?
Zagger: [laughs] So any individual as soon as despatched me a reduce collectively factor of Emet over — who’s that fantastic singer? [starts singing] “You’re a nasty man, a nasty man…” Who sings that?
Billie Eilish?
Zagger: Billie Eilish! Sorry. Have a look at me, you’re going to have me singing. And it was all reduce stuff of him over that Billie Eilish track. And I used to be like, “Oh my God, that is so cool!” And there was like a second the place he did one thing, and I used to be like, “That really appears like me, other than the hair.”
Pay attention, I can’t assist myself however go, “Oh, hold on, let me have one other little look.” After which, as I say, the minute you begin to learn one thing that isn’t so beneficial, I again away. As a result of I don’t suppose it’s conducive to me as an individual rising as an actor. So I’m very, very acutely aware of, “It’s about that second and doing that job the very best to your skill.” And hopefully individuals take it to coronary heart and find it irresistible.
You talked about earlier how as an actor, you do a job and also you form of transfer on. However one thing that I discover actually attention-grabbing with one thing like Last Fantasy XIV is you do three expansions over the course of a number of years, so it’s a personality that you simply maintain coming again to and who will reside with individuals for therefore lengthy. What’s it like as an actor to get to play a personality that lets you maintain coming again and discover various things every time?
Zagger: What’s attention-grabbing is my agent would at all times — such as you say, it could be like a 12 months and a half or two years, after which I’d simply get an e-mail going, “The job that retains giving.” And after I was first booked for Last Fantasy, it wasn’t Last Fantasy. I feel it was known as “Samurai.” That was the working title [for the 2017 Stormblood expansion], and it could at all times be Samurai. However after I went again two years on to file, I might have a look at the fabric that I might then be going into file for the subsequent growth, and also you actually take about 5 minutes of the session simply to search out your manner with the voice, after which it’s in, and I used to be again. And I feel I may do the identical for Roathe, and though individuals will say, “Oh, it’s Emet, it’s a variation of him,” there are moments the place I consciously didn’t ever take into consideration enjoying that character in a brand new guise. It was any individual utterly completely different. There was completely different components to him that I wished to convey out that I don’t suppose I did for Emet.
That segues into one of many questions I did need to ask. There are some similarities between them, in fact. However what had been a number of the variations that you simply did need to discover?
Zagger: I feel that it was his ardour, 100 per cent. Ardour — like one thing that basically he cares about, Emet, and one thing that Roathe actually cares about may be very evident, they usually’re not afraid to precise their emotions or how. And empathy. I’ve been talking about it at present. You’ve gotten a personality that’s, for all intents and functions, a nasty character. He’s the baddie. He’s the villain. However there’s bought to be one thing that you simply like otherwise you love about them, otherwise you’re drawn to them, and there’s one thing that you would be able to empathize with. So I feel that’s fairly necessary — that each characters you’ll be able to empathize with.
Because you talked about TennoCon is definitely the primary conference you’re doing. Last Fantasy XIV has a devoted conference…
Zagger: I used to be requested to do it! However I used to be away filming, so I couldn’t do it. And this [TennoCon] by no means practically occurred as a result of I used to be away filming in Belgium. I’m nonetheless contracted, however they’ve cleared me, and all I’m contracted to do is form of any additional days, catch-up days, or scenes that we couldn’t get. And I couldn’t be happier. I couldn’t be. I’m beginning to get somewhat bit excited now.
So what’s it like for TennoCon to be your first conference?
The Narrative of Warframe panel at TennoCon. From left to proper: Ryan Mole (narrative designer), René Zagger and Ben Starr (star of Warframe and Soulframe dressed as artistic director Rebecca Ford, who was absent as a result of a medical process.)
Zagger: It’s superb. It’s superb. I’ve simply been to Digital Excessive’ workplaces. It’s so many individuals which have come collectively for this occasion. We simply rehearsed and we’ve been within the area. It’s good. It’s thrilling. So I’m actually wanting ahead to it. It’s one thing that I by no means thought I might do. Not as a result of, “Oh, I’m not going to try this,” however as a result of, “Will that chance ever come about?” I used to be in Physician Who again in UK. I did a few episodes of that — a really pivotal storyline, and I did a few issues off the again of that. And it’s insane how superb persons are and dedicated to these characters and the story. And since then, at any time when I do performs in theatre, the individuals at stage door are Physician Who followers, are Last Fantasy followers.
So after this, we’ll have Warframe followers there, too!
Zagger: I hope so, yeah! I’ll embrace you. [laughs] 100 per cent.
I’m really from Toronto, so native media. In order that’s why I at all times love when all of the actors from overseas come out right here for it. What’s it wish to get to return right here to London? Are there any issues outdoors of your DE commitments that you simply wished to take a look at or expertise when you’re right here?
Zagger: So as soon as this occasion finishes, I principally prolonged my ticket and I’m going to go and spend 4 days in Toronto.
Oh, very good!
Zagger: My father, my late father, a few years in the past, earlier than he met my mum, emigrated to Canada.
Oh, no manner!
Zagger: However one thing didn’t fairly work out. And after a 12 months, he returned and met my mum. So Canada’s loss was my mum’s acquire. With out that, I wouldn’t be right here.
That’s a stunning anecdote. Thanks for sharing that.
Zagger: No downside.
Is there something particularly that you simply’re hoping to see while you’re in Toronto? Perhaps one thing your dad informed you about?
Zagger: You will snigger. You’re actually going to snigger. It’s not that my dad informed me. My 12-year-old daughter is obsessed with The Subsequent Step, which is a [Canadian teen drama] collection that was shot right here in Toronto. And I mentioned to my daughter, “I’m going to TennoCon 26, and I’ll ship you some –” “I’m not . In the event you’re going to go to Toronto, may you go the place they filmed The Subsequent Step and get me a selfie outdoors?” In order that’s what I’ve bought to do in my 4 days. I do know the place I’m going. I’m going to search out it! [laughs] So I’m going to go and get a selfie outdoors of the studio. It’s in all probability an workplace block. Individuals shall be in there working and see little previous me with a digicam doing a selfie for my 12-year-old.
That’s superb. Usually, you’ve carried out a number of video games now, and clearly motion pictures, TV exhibits, and many others. What’s it about video games, particularly, that you simply get pleasure from doing, and the way does that course of differ in your finish versus different media?
Emet-Selch. (Picture credit score: Sq. Enix)
Zagger: I like the craft of it. Once I was at performing college, my performing trainer used to say, “Yeah, you’ll be able to act, however you’ve bought to go and be taught your craft now. You’ve bought to be taught your craft.” And he mentioned it to a variety of us, and none of us actually fairly understood. “What does he imply by craft?” And it’s solely while you’re there experiencing it do you notice it. And with gaming voicing, it’s so private, it’s so intimate, that you simply don’t have a variety of time to indulge. You don’t have a variety of time. You don’t have rehearsals. Perhaps you’ll have a fast have a look at the strains. With [Warframe], we did 4 passes, and any little form of notes from anybody could be directed to you, and then you definitely’d then do one other 4 passes. However it’s the technical aspect of it, and the way your voice works, and holding your voice lively, and holding your voice working. So I like doing the sport. I like doing gaming.
On that be aware, are you a lot of a gamer your self?
Zagger: I’m not! No, no, no. And I want I used to be. I flip 53 this 12 months. So after I was rising up, it was Atari. I like the considered possibly enjoying that once more at some point. However it’s developed. It’s turn out to be one thing superb. The tales and the immersive expertise of gaming. I’m determined to, and if it was, there’d solely be one recreation that I might play. That’s Warframe, all day lengthy. All day lengthy! However it could be, as a result of it’s the one recreation that’s made me go, “Oh, I actually need to do it.” I’d like to. I’d like to play. I in all probability will. Perhaps the subsequent time you speak to me, Brad, I’ll be an entire gamer.
And then you definitely’ll have overwhelmed your self within the recreation.
Zagger: [laughs] Utterly!
That should be a bizarre, out-of-body expertise, preventing your self.
Zagger: Oh my god, I try this on a regular basis. It’s a psychological combat I’ve with myself! [laughs]
Because you’ve loved the method a lot of engaged on these video games, are there every other gaming properties you’d possibly need to be part of?
Zagger: Oh, I imply, there’s like Name of Responsibility… [But] there’s one thing about Warframe, that household really feel, that form of inclusivity. I may do that for for a for much longer time period as a result of it’s been such an excellent expertise and the method of working with Rebecca and the group, being right here — you simply get that collaborative really feel to it.
With TennoCon, in addition to assembly the followers, is there the rest that you simply’re wanting ahead to trying out?
Zagger: I’m wanting ahead to seeing the live performance. I’m wanting ahead to see the individuals coming of their costumes and issues, and all the things. I simply need to simply form of absorb and soak up as a lot of it as I can.
Reflecting on this entire expertise as Roathe, is there a selected second that stands out to you with the character, both a line or an interplay or something?
Zagger: It’s the blood proposal the place Nitokh calls him to her bathtub and devises the plan, “Let’s take over and kill the Orokin.” So it was that second. However the wording of it form of encapsulates a lot of life, loss of life, the lust between them, the aggression, the authority. It’s similar to 5 – 6 strains, nevertheless it’s bought a little bit of all the things in it. And one other factor was the repetition of issues. He calls himself a coward as he relives moments within the story of what he feels individuals will see him as is a coward. And the repetition of “coward” — I like that as properly.
On that be aware, I’ve to ask — with Emet-Selch and FFXIV, is there a selected second that stands out to you?
Zagger: That was some time in the past! Again within the day, I used to be completely immersed in it and I liked it. However no, he’s very removed from my ideas. It’s all about Roathe, actually! 100 per cent.
Warframe is free-to-play on PS5, PS4, Xbox Collection X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, Android and iOS.
Picture credit score: Sq. Enix/Digital Extremes
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