Tiny Indie Game Snags Star-Studded Cast, Including Arthur Morgan

Francisco Gonzalez's upcoming indie game, Rosewater, has garnered attention for featuring a remarkable cast of voice actors despite its low budget of under $50,000. Thanks to an agreement with SAG-AFTRA, Gonzalez was able to hire well-known talents like Roger Clark (Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2) and Cam Clarke (Leonardo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) while adhering to protections against AI use. The game's fully unionized nature is possible due to advancements in home recording during the pandemic, allowing voice actors to participate without the need for studio rentals.

Indie developers can afford union voice actors by utilizing SAG-AFTRA's low-budget agreements, which provide fair compensation while enabling access to seasoned professionals. The evolving landscape of remote work also minimizes costs associated with studio rentals.

Rosewater is a point-and-click adventure game that taps into Gonzalez's passion for classic adventure genres. Known for his previous work on Lamplight City, Gonzalez's commitment to quality voice acting reflects a growing trend within indie gaming, where developers are increasingly prioritizing narrative depth and professional talent within their projects. By joining forces with recognized actors, smaller studios can enhance their storytelling capabilities and provide players with immersive experiences, challenging the notion that only big-budget games can feature prominent voice talent.