I’ve been told by the folks at Bungie Studios that I have played more characters in HALO than anyone else on the planet*. I’ve been killed many times, only to be reborn into another character quickly thereafter. A few days ago I voiced 3 characters for their new game, Destiny, which drops in September of 2014. The experience made me feel lucky, and also gave me a chance to reflect on how invisible I’ve been in what has so far been the world’s most visible game.
The Crazy Marine appeared in HALO 1. He was the only human you could kill without a penalty. If you didn’t shoot him (to shut his annoying yapper), he would off himself just after you passed. He did not appear in HALO 2, but due to fan outcry, he appeared in all the rest (before Microsoft bought the franchise).
The Crazy Marine is well known, famous and well-liked (and well shot at). I am not. I’ve always joked that it would have been nice to monetize that popularity, but so far I haven’t figured out how to do that (send $1 to the Crazy Marine c/o my email address and you’ll receive a ranting, insane thank you note?).
Since then, with the work we do with Message Glue, we’re always invisible. We’re behind the scenes helping executives and their companies communicate. No faint glow of the spotlight shines on us, nor should it. And that was on my mind as I voiced my latest performance for Bungie.
To be a part of the whole, to help from behind the scenes…that’s the fun part. Sure, a bit of celebrity would be nice (it helps to justify pay raises, for one), but knowing we’re a part of something cool, fun, exciting is what gets remembered.
Thanks, Bungie…you helped prep me for a second career as an invisible communication consultant. And just like the Crazy Marine, the less the audience thinks about the guy behind the scenes, the better.
*Brute Chieftain, miscellaneous brutes, miscellaneous humans, Crazy Marine.
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