I can’t help but think back to those early days when the developers of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle first laid down the game’s foundation years ago. Did they really grasp the enormity of their decision to go the full-likeness route with their main character, ensuring Indiana Jones wouldn’t just be a name, but a complete recreation of Harrison Ford’s likeness? This meant capturing the charm and vigor of 1980s Indy — that rugged adventurer from the original trilogy, steering clear of the somewhat wearier version from later films.
Bringing any game to life is a tremendous accomplishment. But what MachineGames achieved here is nothing short of extraordinary, largely thanks to the talent of Troy Baker. Known for his unforgettable roles as Joel in The Last of Us and Sam Drake in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Baker had the daunting task of embodying an icon like Indiana Jones. Anything less than perfection in recreating Ford’s voice would have fallen short.
A newly released video by BAFTA gives us a peek into this remarkable transformation. According to the devs, when Baker first joined a table-read session — held over Microsoft Teams due to the pandemic — he jumped in full throttle. His username was “Indiana Jones,” and he had the fedora and bullwhip to match, shared Mitra Ashkan Far, the cinematic producer.
Both Far and voice-over designer Emily Hesler attribute much of this success to performance director Tom Keegan, who brought his expertise from his work on the Wolfenstein and Star Wars games. "Tom just has a knack for really getting everyone into character," Hesler noted. Around 7:20 into the 27-minute video, we hear some snippets of Baker grunting as Indy, and it’s these moments, those gruff sounds, that make his portrayal so authentic and reminiscent of Ford.
"Now that’s Indy,” Hesler chuckled, clearly impressed. “It’s not just about taking a hit; it’s the personality and life in those sounds."
Hesler elaborates on what makes Baker’s interpretation so impressive: it’s the subtle inflections in his grunts that convey a mix of frustration and fortitude. This Indy isn’t just a punching bag; he’s a fighter looking for his chance to strike back.
“There’s this breathy quality, you know?” she explains. “It’s textured, with emotion and a hint of annoyance woven in. Troy captures that vital essence effortlessly.”
Even after countless hours spent navigating through Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Baker’s embodiment of Indy never ceases to amaze, earning him and the team a well-deserved 2025 DICE Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character. For those eager to embark on this adventure, the game is set to launch on PlayStation 5 this spring.
