Who Voices Cassidy? A Deep Dive into the Voice Behind Overwatch’s Gunslinger
The voice of Cassidy in Overwatch and Overwatch 2 is provided by the incredibly talented Matthew Mercer. Beyond Cassidy, Mercer is a prolific voice actor known for his extensive work across video games, anime, and tabletop role-playing games. He brings a distinctive depth and charisma to the character, making Cassidy a fan favorite within the Overwatch universe.
Matthew Mercer: More Than Just a Cowboy
While he’s undeniably iconic as Cassidy, Matthew Mercer’s career stretches far beyond the dusty trails of Overwatch. His voice acting resume reads like a who’s who of popular media.
The Versatility of Mercer
Mercer’s range is truly impressive. He’s voiced characters in everything from Attack on Titan (Levi Ackerman) to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (Jotaro Kujo in later parts) and numerous roles in Dungeons & Dragons, most notably as the Dungeon Master for the hugely popular web series Critical Role. This ability to seamlessly transition between gruff, stoic heroes and charismatic, witty personalities is a testament to his skill and dedication. His work highlights the power of storytelling through voice acting.
The Cassidy Connection
What makes Mercer’s portrayal of Cassidy so compelling? It’s more than just the gravelly voice; it’s the nuanced performance that captures the character’s inner turmoil, his sense of justice, and his quiet determination. He brings a world-weariness to Cassidy that resonates with players, adding layers of complexity to what could easily have been a one-dimensional gunslinger. The understanding of character backstory and the ability to bring the voice to life shows a professional commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cassidy and Matthew Mercer
Here are some frequently asked questions about Cassidy, Matthew Mercer, and related topics:
1. Why was McCree renamed Cassidy?
The character formerly known as McCree was renamed Cole Cassidy due to the ongoing legal issues and allegations of a toxic workplace culture at Activision Blizzard. The original name was a reference to a former Blizzard employee, Jesse McCree, who was terminated due to these allegations. The name change was part of a broader effort to distance the game from problematic associations. This change shows the company’s shift in ethical representation, and what the gaming industry expects from its developers.
2. Is Cassidy just McCree with a new name?
Yes, Cole Cassidy is the same character as McCree. All that changed was the name and a few cosmetic details. His abilities, backstory, and gameplay remained consistent.
3. What other notable characters has Matthew Mercer voiced?
Besides Cassidy, Mercer has voiced Levi Ackerman in Attack on Titan, Jotaro Kujo in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and numerous characters in Critical Role, which he also Dungeon Masters. He also voiced Chrom in Fire Emblem Awakening. His work spans across anime, video games, and tabletop RPGs, highlighting his versatility.
4. What is Critical Role?
Critical Role is a hugely popular Dungeons & Dragons web series where a group of voice actors, led by Matthew Mercer as the Dungeon Master, play through elaborate campaigns. It’s known for its high production value, engaging storytelling, and the improvisational talent of the cast.
5. Why did Matthew Mercer change his last name?
Matthew Mercer’s birth name is Matthew Christopher Miller. He adopted the stage name “Mercer” because his birth name was too similar to another actor already registered with SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union.
6. Who voices Genji in Overwatch?
Gaku Space provides the voice for Genji in Overwatch.
7. Who voices Evelyn Parker in Cyberpunk 2077?
Kari Wahlgren voices Evelyn Parker in Cyberpunk 2077.
8. Who voices Adam Smasher in Cyberpunk 2077?
Alec Newman voices Adam Smasher in Cyberpunk 2077.
9. Who voiced Dub Diavolo in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure?
Kellen Goff voices Diavolo in the English dub of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind.
10. Who voiced Avdol in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure?
Chris Tergliafera voices Avdol in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
11. Is Deku voiced by a girl in the Japanese version?
No, the Japanese voice actor for Deku (Izuku Midoriya) in My Hero Academia is Daiki Yamashita, a male voice actor.
12. Who is Deku’s dad?
Deku’s father is Hisashi Midoriya, who is said to have a fire-breathing Quirk. He is often away on business.
13. Who voiced Jotaro in the early English dubs of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure?
In the original video animation (OVA) adaptation of Stardust Crusaders, Abie Hadjitarkhani voiced Jotaro in the English dub. However, in the later television anime adaptation and subsequent appearances, Matthew Mercer took over the role.
14. Who voices Levi Ackerman in Japanese?
Hiroshi Kamiya voices Levi Ackerman in the Japanese version of Attack on Titan.
15. What is the impact of voice acting in video games and interactive storytelling?
Voice acting plays a crucial role in bringing video game characters to life, enhancing immersion, and driving the narrative. Skilled voice actors like Matthew Mercer can imbue characters with emotion, personality, and depth, making them relatable and memorable. This is becoming an important aspect of understanding game development. The role of video games in learning and education is also increasingly recognized, with organizations like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ dedicated to exploring the educational potential of games. Good voice acting and storytelling are essential in these educational games, as it is necessary to engage and provide memorable characters and personalities for players to learn from. It provides an important layer of storytelling that can really drive home a character, or teach an important point, and really drive home a game’s educational message.