Vin Diesel Finds Success in Games

Posted on June 12, 2005

In a pre-show ceremony The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay took home a coveted Moon Man at the 2005 MTV Movie Awards last week. The game, a prequel to last summer's Escape from Butcher Bay won the Best Video Game Based on a Movie award. Vin Diesel himself had some comments during the pre-show where he said he thought the video games industry and film industry would work more and more together over the next few years.

Diesel isn't alone -- a recent Hollywood Reporter article discussed Hollywood's growing interest in gaming. Vin Diesel's video-game company, Tigon Studios, co-produced The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay so it is no surprise that his voice is featured prominently in the game. A recent Bermuda Sun review recommends the game and discusses the use of Diesel's voice:

You are Riddick, a very wanted violent criminal in the ultra-secure Butcher Bay prison. Armed initially with only your hands and near super-human strength, you battle your way through prisoners and guards alike, amassing crude weapons like shivs and metal rods as you go. The graphics are amazing, with the gritty backgrounds and realistic character depictions drawing you into the tortured world. While it�s fairly common to have these types of games featuring the voice of the actual actors, Chronicles goes one further: the voice of Vin Diesel, the star of Riddick features prominently in not only cut-scenes, but also in general conversations throughout the game. Although the storyline is fairly linear, there are multiple ways to arrive at the same place, some more difficult than others. Talking with the many other colourful characters in the game can lead to optional side missions and extra cash should you choose to accept them.