Blindlight

Formed in 2000 by four managers from Icebox.com, Blindlight sought to apply the talents and expertise from Hollywood's film and television industries to the video game industry.{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Strike |title=Secret Lives of VO Actors |url=http://www.awn.com/articles/people/secret-videogames-lives-vo-actors/page/1,1 |publisher=Animation World Magazine |date=27 April 2006 |accessdate=2010-02-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612005102/http://www.awn.com/articles/people/secret-videogames-lives-vo-actors/page/1%2C1 |archivedate=2011-06-12 }} The company's initial service disciplines included casting and voice production, celebrity acquisition, story and scriptwriting, music production, motion capture and sound design. While its contractors are sourced mostly from traditional Hollywood industries, Blindlight operates exclusively as a service provider to videogame companies.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Before technological advances brought about the advent of the PlayStation 2 and the original Xbox in 2001, many games were written and voiced by computer artists and "programmers around the office."{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Gnatek |title=Giving Voice to Videogames |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/04/technology/circuits/04voic.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&position |work=New York Times |date=4 November 2005 |accessdate=2010-02-02 |archive-date=2013-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005013858/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/04/technology/circuits/04voic.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&position |url-status=live }} The newfound potential for delivering richer multimedia experiences through videogames instigated the need for contributions from traditional Hollywood resources such as actors, writers, and composers. Blindlight sought to elevate the filmic aspects of videogames by developing ways for game producers to take advantage of the distributed freelance specialists that comprise the modern-day Hollywood production model.{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Marlowe |title=Rodgers Takes Shine to Halo 2 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000706709 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=5 November 2004 |accessdate=2010-02-02 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

In December 2003, the company moved its headquarters to its current location on the Sunset Strip. In 2004, Blindlight opened an office in Tokyo, Japan.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In July 2024, voice actors, motion capture employees and other people employed by Blindlight who were Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) members would begin a labor strike over concerns about A.I.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-07-27/video-game-actors-strike-explained-sag-aftra|title=Video game actors are on strike. Here's what that means|first1=Samantha|last1=Masunga|first2=Christi|last2=Carras|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 27, 2024|accessdate=July 27, 2024}}

Blindlight's filmography on IMDb lists more game credits for voice production than any other company,[https://www.imdb.com/company/co0117290/ Blindlight] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423154250/http://www.imdb.com/company/co0117290/ |date=2017-04-23 }} at the Internet Movie Database and according to a GDC profile on the company, "its client list has grown to include 19 of the top 20 game publishers."{{cite web|url=http://www.gdconline.com/conference/writers.html|title=GDC Game Writers Summit|accessdate=2010-02-16}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} Blindlight's voicework has earned industry awards including Best Dialog of the Year,{{cite web|url=http://www.audiogang.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=160&Itemid=189|title=5th Annual GANG Awards|publisher=GANG (Game Audio Network Guild)|date=2007-03-08|accessdate=2010-02-16|archive-date=2009-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727202359/http://www.audiogang.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=160&Itemid=189|url-status=live}} Best Performance by a Human Male,{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/theelderscrollsivoblivion/news.html?sid=6162929|title=Oblivion nabs Spike TV tops honors|publisher=GameSpot|author=Surette, Tim|date=2006-12-09|accessdate=2010-02-16|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325175137/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/theelderscrollsivoblivion/news.html?sid=6162929|archivedate=2007-03-25}} and Performance of the Year.{{Cite news|title = Golden Joysticks 2015: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt wins five gaming awards|work = BBC News|date = 30 October 2015|url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34679591/golden-joysticks-2015-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-wins-five-gaming-awards|accessdate = 2015-11-09|archive-date = 2015-10-30|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151030180040/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34679591/golden-joysticks-2015-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-wins-five-gaming-awards|url-status = live}} The company is known for producing the voicework on such prominent games as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which won an AIAS award for Outstanding Achievement in Story and Game of the Year,{{Cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/skyrim-snags-another-best-of-show-award-at-15th-annual-aias-awar/ |title=Skyrim snags another best of show gong at 15th annual AIAS awards | Joystiq |access-date=2012-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010110958/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/skyrim-snags-another-best-of-show-award-at-15th-annual-aias-awar/ |archive-date=2012-10-10 |url-status=dead }} and Dishonored, which was recognized by BAFTA as the Best Game of 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2013/games/best-game|title=2013 Games Best Game | BAFTA Awards|access-date=2013-10-01|archive-date=2015-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501073153/http://awards.bafta.org/award/2013/games/best-game|url-status=live}}

Other notable achievements include:

• Blindlight was an early company to advocate using professional Hollywood actors in games. This started a shift in videogame voice-over production that effectively moved the discipline to Los Angeles, CA.{{cite web|url=http://guterman.com/gin3.pdf|title=More Than Just Catchphrases|publisher=Gaming Industry News|author=Gaudiosi, John|date=2004-01-23|accessdate=2010-02-16|archive-date=2010-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327005946/http://guterman.com/gin3.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1749519|title=H'wood stars into vid game act|publisher=GamePro|author= Gaudiosi, John|date=2002-10-28|accessdate=2010-02-16}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}
• Blindlight has drafted and brokered over 500 deals for the use of celebrity voices in games.{{cite news|first=Alex |last=Wiltshire |title=Interview: Lev Chapelsky |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/interview-lev-chapelsky |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904173823/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/interview-lev-chapelsky |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |publisher=Edge |date=May 20, 2009 |accessdate=2010-02-02 }}{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Chalk |title=Voice Actors: Show Them the Money |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/91894-Hollywood-Voice-Actors-Show-Them-the-Money |publisher=Escapist Magazine |date=22 May 2009 |accessdate=2010-02-02 |archive-date=2018-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116110235/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/91894-Hollywood-Voice-Actors-Show-Them-the-Money |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Kemp |last=Powers |title=Videogames Give Actors Second Chance |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-videogames-rlife-idUSWRI14206320080131 |publisher=Reuters |date=31 January 2008 |accessdate=2010-02-02 |archive-date=2015-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129133123/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/01/31/us-videogames-rlife-idUSWRI14206320080131 |url-status=live }} In 2006, Blindlight signed all Star Trek captains to one game, marking the only time all five have participated together on a single project.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/All+Five+STAR+TREK%28R%29+Captains+to+Voice+Bethesda+Softworks+Video+Game...-a0149450263|title=All Five Star Trek Captains to Voice Bethesda Softworks Video Game|publisher=Business Wire|date=2006-08-14|accessdate=2010-02-16|archive-date=2012-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017214332/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/All+Five+STAR+TREK(R)+Captains+to+Voice+Bethesda+Softworks+Video+Game...-a0149450263|url-status=live}} In 2009, the blogosphere buzzed when word got out that Blindlight had made an offer to former President Bill Clinton to play the President role in Fallout 3.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5266627/bill-clinton-was-asked-to-voice-fallout-3|title=Bill Clinton Asked to Voice Fallout 3|publisher=Kotaku|author=Ashcraft, Brian|date=2009-05-22|accessdate=2010-02-16|archive-date=2009-07-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722025829/http://kotaku.com/5266627/bill-clinton-was-asked-to-voice-fallout-3|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ripten.com/2009/05/23/bill-clinton-turned-down-fallout-3-role/|title=Bill Clinton Turned Down Fallout 3 Role|publisher=Rip Ten|author=Duerte, Dylan|date=2009-05-23|accessdate=2010-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803061147/http://www.ripten.com/2009/05/23/bill-clinton-turned-down-fallout-3-role/|archive-date=2009-08-03|url-status=usurped}}
• Blindlight has participated in negotiations with the SAG and AFTRA actors unions over the Interactive Media Agreement.{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Snider |title=Voice actors to vote on strike |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2005-06-06-voice-actors-strike_x.htm |publisher=USA Today |date=6 June 2006 |accessdate=2010-02-02 |archive-date=2011-06-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604011648/http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2005-06-06-voice-actors-strike_x.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Yi |title=Actors voice their dissent: Screen Guild calls for better pay for videogame work |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/05/25/BUGE7CU50G1.DTL |publisher=USA Today |date=5 May 2005 |accessdate=2010-02-02 |archive-date=2007-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015161018/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/05/25/BUGE7CU50G1.DTL |url-status=live }} In 2005, Blindlight assisted in averting a strike and preserving the game industry's access to professional actors.{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117924153?refCatId=1009|title=Gamers at peace: Rates rise for thesps, but no residuals|publisher=Variety|author1=Brodesser, Ben|author2=Fritz, Claude|name-list-style=amp|date=2005-06-08|accessdate=2010-02-16|archive-date=2011-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418181417/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117924153?refCatId=1009|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/current_affairs/ |title=Bill Clinton in Fallout 3? Not so fast... |publisher=Variety |author=Morris, Chris |date=2009-05-22 |accessdate=2010-02-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131032952/http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/current_affairs/ |archivedate=2010-01-31 }}
• In gamewriting, Blindlight borrowed best practices from the television industry to create an outsourced team-based model for improving the narrative elements in games. This opened new doors for game producers to tap underutilized Hollywood writing talent at affordable costs, and a new source of work for Hollywood writers.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/blindlights-lev-chapelsky/|title=Blindlight's Lev Chapelsky|publisher=GameDaily|author= Snow, Allen|date=2004-09-16|accessdate=2010-02-16}}{{dead link|date=July 2011}}
• Blindlight brought ex-Beatle Paul McCartney on board to create and produce original music for the score of Bungie's cornerstone franchise, Destiny.{{Cite web|title = Bungie|url = http://blogs.seattletimes.com/brierdudley/topic/bungie-2|website = The Seattle Times|accessdate = 2015-11-09|archive-date = 2016-01-30|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160130075742/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/brierdudley/topic/bungie-2/|url-status = live}}
• Blindlight created an original mobile app for William Shatner{{Cite news|title = Shatoetry: The Official William Shatner iPhone App Is Here|url = https://techland.time.com/2012/11/07/shatoetry-the-official-william-shatner-iphone-app-is-here/|newspaper = Time|access-date = 2015-11-09|first = Olivia B.|last = Waxman|archive-date = 2016-01-30|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160130075741/http://techland.time.com/2012/11/07/shatoetry-the-official-william-shatner-iphone-app-is-here/|url-status = live}} that was rated as the best celebrity app in the marketplace by both Buzzfeed,{{Cite web|title = The Definitive Ranking Of Celebrity Apps|url = https://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/the-definitive-ranking-of-celebrity-apps|website = BuzzFeed| date=5 September 2014 |accessdate = 2015-11-09|archive-date = 2015-10-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151009072333/http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/the-definitive-ranking-of-celebrity-apps|url-status = live}} and Gizmodo.{{Cite web|title = The Best and Worst Celebrity Apps|url = https://gizmodo.com/the-best-and-worst-celebrity-apps-1645731423|website = Gizmodo| date=15 October 2014 |accessdate = 2015-11-09|language = en-US|archive-date = 2015-10-12|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151012040438/http://gizmodo.com/the-best-and-worst-celebrity-apps-1645731423|url-status = live}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.blindlight.com/ Blindlight Official Website]

{{Keywords Studios}}

Category:2000 establishments in California

Category:2018 mergers and acquisitions

Category:American subsidiaries of foreign companies

Category:Companies based in Los Angeles

Category:Keywords Studios

Category:Video game companies established in 2000

Category:Video game companies based in California