Back when the creators of “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” first started drafting the game, I can’t help but wonder if they fully grasped the magnitude of their decision to go for a full likeness of Indiana Jones. It wasn’t just about crafting any Indiana Jones; they aimed for a true representation that looked, sounded, and moved like Harrison Ford in his iconic 1980s portrayal. We’re talking about the rugged, adventurous Indy at his peak, not the older version from the later movies.
Bringing a game together is always an impressive feat, but what MachineGames accomplished is downright miraculous. They had an ambitious vision, and it all boiled down to the talent of Troy Baker. Known for his memorable roles such as Joel from “The Last of Us” and Sam Drake from “Uncharted 4,” Baker took on the near-impossible task of capturing an icon as cherished as Indiana Jones. Fans weren’t about to settle for anything less than a flawless rendition of Ford’s legendary voice.
Thanks to a fascinating video released by BAFTA last Friday, we gained some insights into how Baker pulled this off. Baker, diving deep into his role in a form of method acting, logged into the initial table read during the pandemic through Microsoft Teams with “Indiana Jones” as his screen name. To set the mood, he even donned Indy’s signature fedora and wielded the famed bullwhip, shared cinematic producer Mitra Ashkan Far.
A lot of praise goes to performance director Tom Keegan, whose impressive background includes working on several “Wolfenstein” and “Star Wars” games. As noted by voice-over designer Emily Hesler, Keegan had a knack for getting actors into character. Around 7:20 into the 27-minute BAFTA video, Hesler shared clips of Baker getting into character through grunts and shouts, capturing the essence of Indy taking a beating. She marveled at Baker’s ability to channel the spirit and nuances of Ford’s portrayal.
Hesler chuckled in amazement, “That’s pure Indy right there. There’s so much personality packed into those moments, way more than just getting hit.”
For Hesler, the texture in Baker’s grunts conveyed Indy’s frustration and determination. You could sense Indy wasn’t just a victim but a man ready to fight back.
“It’s about capturing that breathiness,” Hesler explained. “There’s a tone, along with a hint of annoyance. That mix of attitude and personality. Troy handles it phenomenally.”
Even after spending countless hours immersed in “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,” Baker’s portrayal of Indy continues to astound me. His efforts were rightly recognized with a joint win at the 2025 DICE Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Character. Gamers eagerly await its release on PlayStation 5 this spring.
