Article by Tom Richardson, BBC Newsbeat
7 hours ago
Remarkably in the gaming universe, the much-anticipated focus seems to be shifting to the imminent reaction on a stellar role in a reiteration of “a seminal event in the annals of gaming history”. Upcoming superstar of the digital gaming world, Briana White, best known for her recent work with the Final Fantasy 7 (FF7) Rebirth ensemble, revealed this in a recent virtual discussion with BBC Newsbeat.
The recreation centres on the epoch-making, highly-influential 1997 Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) and FF7 Rebirth constitutes the second installment of a trilogy. White lends her expert voiceover skills to the character of Aerith Gainsborough – a florist who holds a crucial key to a mystic race that might just be mankind’s last hope of survival.
Treading ever so cautiously, one would be prudent to veer away from spoilers, although it is more than fair to hint that Aerith’s destiny in the iconic FF7 has been rendered in the annals of gaming history as one of the most celebrated plot twists ever to have been conceived.
“It is a quintessential milestone in gaming that invariably surfaces when gaming enthusiasts reminisce about the most pivotal moments,” states White, adding, “It took players by storm and was utterly bold and counter-cultural.”
While the recurrence of the crucial moment in the new iteration is public knowledge, its precursor, the 2020 blockbuster Final Fantasy 7 Remake, tantalisingly suggested that Aerith’s eventual journey may be subject to a radically different trajectory. Since Rebirth’s advent last week, gamers have been locked in a frenzied race against time, endeavouring to reach the denouement and ascertain whether the fresh narrative arc does transpire or not.
With the finish line nowhere in sight for most players, Briana White is anxiously anticipating their reactions to the monumental climax. She admits to a surge of nervousness, coupled with a sense of calm and anticipation. After undergoing an incredibly hectic launch week she was quite refreshed by the lull which ensued, allowing her some reflective downtime.
Unlike many of her peers in the video game voice acting industry, Briana is a passionate gamer herself with indelible childhood memories of playing PC adventure games. She is also a classically trained actress with substantial experience in conventional theatre, television and film roles. However, her foray into voice acting began with Final Fantasy, a career shift she initially underestimated.
Remembering how she was overwhelmed by the highly detailed technical challenges which eventually led her to question her selection for the role, she subsequently managed to muzzle her self-doubt. When Remake was released, the performances were universally lauded, a response which emboldened her and infused an aura of playfulness and openness during the recording of Rebirth.
Notwithstanding the bulk of the latest game, she does not feel it was necessarily any more demanding for her, primarily due to the introduction of a larger cast of allies and party members. Despite the game’s capacity to tackle weighty themes and the inclusion of a substantial amount of side content, which occasionally descends into the realm of the bizarre, she is eagerly monitoring the outcome.
Briana’s experience once again serves as a reminder of the potential risk actors may have to face from social media abuse. However, she recognises that the Final Fantasy fanbase is generally respectful and empathetic so she remains optimistic, believing that much of the furore is an integral part of the experience.
Only time will tell whether she returns for the finale, a decision yet to be made. Her hazy knowledge of any potential future involvement mirrors the precarious and suspenseful wrap-up of the second instalment of the trilogy. Regardless of the outcome, this digital venture has proven to be a transformative journey for her beyond mere professional development. Regardless of the future outlook, this promising digital venture has proven to be a phenomenal journey for her.
