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EA taps Hollywood talent for Syndicate

Sin City actress Rosario Dawson, Brian Cox from The Bourne Identity, and The Crow actor Michael Wincott lending voices to upcoming shooter reboot.

Electronic Arts' upcoming shooter Syndicate might have players hearing familiar voices. The publisher today announced that Hollywood talent Rosario Dawson, Brian Cox, and Michael Wincott are voicing characters in the shooter reboot, due later this month.

EA has gone to Hollywood for Syndicate voice talent.

EA has gone to Hollywood for Syndicate voice talent.

Dawson (Sin City, Grindhouse) plays Lily Drawl, a EuroCorp "rising star" in Syndicate. According to EA, Drawl is torn between the directives of her corporate masters and the underground resistance.

Cox (The Bourne Identity, Troy) plays Jack Denham, a "ruthless" EuroCorp director, while Wincott (The Crow) provides the voice for Jules Merit, a senior agent with many victorious operations under his belt.

This is not the first time EA has tapped Hollywood talent for one of its games. November's Need for Speed: The Run featured the voices and likenesses of Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks and Vampire Diaries' Sean Faris.

Syndicate is due for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC in North America on February 21, followed by a European release on February 24. It was developed by Starbreeze Studios, the Swedish shop behind 2009's The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.

For more on Syndicate, check out GameSpot's latest preview.

71 Comments

  • Luminious0

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 12:07 am GMT

    so tired of shooters omg

  • heroesfan261

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 11:26 pm GMT

    @bahamut_au I honestly had no idea who they were talking about when they listed his film credits but they could have just said he played scolar visari. He is essentially what made the killzone games worth playing.

  • dxBIGBOSSxb

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 10:02 pm GMT

    @liam82517
    Congratulations, you've just dumped any possible respect you can fathom down the toilet, as well as any maturity.

    You, my friend, are now and forever a hipster.

  • bahamut_au

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 8:40 pm GMT

    Brian Cox = God. For those who might not know, he played Visari in the Killzone games and the "director" guy in Manhunt. He is an awesome voice actor.

  • liam82517

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 8:31 pm GMT

    @dxBIGBOSSxb

    Blah blah blah. Still a generic shooter.

  • keyb0red

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 6:10 pm GMT

    Played the MP demo which I thought was pretty good. Smooth gameplay and some crazy firefights

    Bring it on.

  • emacdaddy08

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 5:38 pm GMT

    way too many icons on screen, kills the immersion.

  • Gandoclaus

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 4:58 pm GMT

    I would be optomistic about this game

    If it wasn't made by EA (dumbed down and butchered is their usual style)

    If it wasn't a sci-fi FPS (over-saturated genre)

    If it used elements from the original to create a unique experience.

    As it is it's looking redundant since Left 4 Dead has already done most of what this game is trying to do and it's almost certain it wont do it better.

  • capt_karem

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 2:21 pm GMT

    Looks good! Gaming is now a superior entertainment medium to movies...

  • dxBIGBOSSxb

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 11:52 am GMT

    @andyslaker
    I respect the Optimism. -_-

  • Apathetic_Prick

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 10:22 am GMT

    @Ultramarinus: Regarding 2K games "giving us what we want", they give us mediocre sports games and an assload of FPS's. Despite excellent sales, they've verbally canned Civilization, let alone all strategy games regardless of their stripe.

    Or did you forget about that?

    They're all becoming nefarious money-grubbers. I mean, if 2K really cared about giving everyone exactly what they want, they would have mandated Bethesda to make sure Skyrim was still an RPG.

  • Ultramarinus

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 8:44 am GMT

    @Dareitus

    Get your facts straight first: Mario and WH40K has their core franchises going strong and supported and getting out those kart racer etc as SPIN-OFF. It's a world of a difference.

    As for 2D platformers like Duke and Metroid, maybe their fanbase didn't care enough for them. We don't give up that easily. EA should follow up on 2K's example and give us what we want. Then we'll shut up and buy it. Not this.

  • Ultramarinus

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 8:39 am GMT

    Here's a clue for EA: Spend that money to make a proper, real remake. It'll benefit you more.

  • CptRexKramer

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 4:39 am GMT

    Personally, I'm looking forward to this one. I think it looks pretty entertaining, and in the end, that's what it's all about.

  • andyslaker

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 2:59 am GMT

    This will suck.

  • SauhlGood

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 2:38 am GMT

    how bout retaining some development talent, that can make games other than fps...

    yay another franchise turned into a FPS, how original, obviously the industry is really lazy or the consumers are just that utterly gullable, or easily pleased... either way, another "mediocre" FPS is not my cup of tea... there soo rare nowadays... (eyes roll into back of head)

  • Apathetic_Prick

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 12:53 am GMT

    @Landsharkk:

    Realistically, Syndicate only really got strategic when you hopped your agents up on drugs, which was where the game took a really interesting turn; while, yes, they would automatically attack just about anything hostile, you also had to manage and counteract withdrawal. But unless they were doped up, they wouldn't often react on their own. And at the end of the day, all you needed was an arseload of miniguns and victory was all but guaranteed. That changed a great deal in Syndicate Wars, but ultimately...it was more of a top-down shooter.

    If the new Syndicate retains the drug levels (which I doubt), it will be all the better for it.

    I'm just going to wait and see. I will certainly not be buying this brand new unless the multiplayer modes involve vying for world-wide domination.

  • syahirkhai

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 12:47 am GMT

    Stfu about this game rebooted to an FPS or whatever.. All I know is I'm getting this game. Fyi, the demo wasnt so bad at all. Stop complaining.

  • dxBIGBOSSxb

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 10:27 pm GMT

    @slonekb05
    @liam82517
    @Suikogaiden
    http://emotibot.net/pix/1694.jpg

    PLEASE, just get over it. NO, it's not your old Syndicate from over 20 years ago, and yes it is a shooter. Compared to shooters I've played that ARE awful, it's not bad. It's a decent and fun game to play.

    Good graphics, solid gunplay, interesting powers and unlockables, sound audio, an interesting and reminiscent art style that does match that of the older games, and a good combination of teamplay and tactics. It's a fine game. No it's not perfect, and I have played better shooters, but for what it is, it's fine. Acting pessimistic isn't helping. Sometimes simply accepting what it is makes the game much more enjoyable.

    I'm not trying to convince you of anything, I'm just saying, don't go insulting the game and calling it trash just because YOU don't like it. It's not like CoD (If you actually play it, going commando is a death sentence. Tactics ARE required), and it's very well made on a technical bases. I almost guarantee no higher than an 8.0-8.5, but a 5-6? Come on.

  • emperiox

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 10:11 pm GMT

    Already got it preordered on Amazon for the PC

  • aymansito

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 8:08 pm GMT

    such briliant minds would give a great push to video games...keep moving for more

  • NeoIostars

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 7:24 pm GMT

    Rosario Dawson just made this game a little sweeter for me.

  • icetone

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 6:26 pm GMT

    played the demo isn't bad I even play more now i love the mini sub screens on and the gameplay is sweet IF your good at it like me

  • slonekb05 posted Feb 10, 2012 6:22 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    slonekb05

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 6:22 pm GMT (hide)

    why bother to pay actors when the game is very sub par. The demo was awful .. this game will get a 5 or 6 at best.

  • liam82517

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 5:59 pm GMT

    generic shooter is generic. correct, sir!

  • Suikogaiden posted Feb 10, 2012 5:24 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Suikogaiden

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 5:24 pm GMT (hide)

    Yeayy! another mediocre CoD wannabe FPS, yaay... Oh cool you get bullet sponge teammates so its even more braindead then the retarded AI.

  • Dareitus

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 3:44 pm GMT

    Where was all the protest when Duke Nukem moved from 2D Platformer to FPS?

    Where was the nerd rage when Metroid when Platformer to FPS?

    Where was the anger when Mario went from Platformer to Kart Racer, to Soccer Player, to Board Game, to 3D Platformer, and beyond?

    Where were the trolls when Space Marine was an action game instead of an RTS like the previous two THQ based 40k games?

    Just because it has the same name doesn't mean it needs to be the same game. TONS of franchises use cross marketing, cross platforming, and cross genres to gain more attention, profit, and to expand the existing universe. They could have just not made a Syndicate game at all.

  • supersackboy23

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 3:10 pm GMT

    @clearheelz Thanks to Mythbusters!

  • dxBIGBOSSxb

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 3:01 pm GMT

    @Banefire76
    Brofist!

    No problem. Sometimes us old schoolers gotta stick together. Also; Double Fine AND Twisted Pixel, don't forget them.

    I choose talent over marketability any time. EA is probably the worst, most Nazi imposing gaming corp. out there today. I honestly can't think of anyone worse. My favorite RTS of ALL TIME, Red Alert, is owned by them. REIII was actually a REALLY good RTS, but simply because EA's name is on it, most fans call it trash because of their horrible reputation.

    Capable hands, make capable games. Not marketing. I remember a quote an old friend said to me before he passed away that some a**hat name grim-something (Can't remember the name) actually couldn't understand an called me stupid because of it.

    "Sales do not make a good game. A good game makes a good game." EA gets the sales right, but the games are another story, since they only produce the "Finest" they can extort.

  • BravoOneActual

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 2:56 pm GMT

    Scarlet Johandson is the Hollwood talent I'd like to tap! Hooooooo!!

    High five!!!

  • Banefire76

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 2:23 pm GMT

    @dxBIGBOSSxb

    I appreciate your point of view, and thanks for not going apesh1t at me as well

    I guess im saying what i did because sometimes we just think that we are the only ones who see these things and keep it to ourselves and nothing changes, but rather it gets worse. Just think what would have happened if no-one said or did anything about SOPA? Thats my motivation. To highlight what i see as a problem and if enough people do something about it than perhaps things will just get better. Look at Double Fine, a company and its fans bypassing a publisher that would restrict talent in favour of a "marketable" approach to a new game. Thats the sort of future i want for gaming.

    Thanks for your reply

  • dxBIGBOSSxb

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 2:20 pm GMT

    I can almost guarantee if this game did NOT have the Syndicate name, not nearly as many people would complain. Hell, I bet most of you would favor it over most of the shooters out right now.

    And before you ask, yes I played Syndicate too. I sucked at it, but I still loved playing it. Ultima, X-Com, Masters of Orion, Fallout, Balder's Gate, Planescape: Torment, Syndicate and many others were my favorite games for a long time growing up.

  • Freezezzy

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 2:17 pm GMT

    Yet another classic video game gets the FPS reboot treatment. Great.

  • dxBIGBOSSxb

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 2:16 pm GMT

    @Vodoo
    Ugh, I'll just leave this here.
    http://emotibot.net/pix/1694.jpg

  • dxBIGBOSSxb

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 2:14 pm GMT

    @Banefire76
    Guy, calm down. I played the old Syndicate too back in the mid-90's. I also played the demo with some friends. It's ok. Not great or anything, but it's decent. It sticks to the source material quite well and is actually pretty fun to play. Yes it's a shooter, I know, and shooter have been done to death, but that doesn't AUTOMATICALLY mean it's crap.

    I'm not saying, "Shut up fanboy, play the game before you say anything!". I'm saying, yes many fans are hurt, yes this is most likely a cash grab, and yes it obviously won't live up to the expectations of it's predecessor, but if the game is FUN than it doesn't matter too much. The demo was fun and enjoyable, and it's not nearly as mindless a shooter as CoD, because it does require some minor tactics.

    I know it may suck, but acting pessimistic will just make the experience worse and might fool you into thinking of it as far less than what it was.

  • Hobbes444

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 2:10 pm GMT

    I sure hope this game is good, considering there is skrillex music in the trailer for it

  • Banefire76

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 1:15 pm GMT

    Ever read an awesome series of books with intelligently written plots, likeable characters, emotionally satisfying twists to only have your memories dashed by hollywood making a crappy film version? I know you have and the list would go on forever.

    Ever been a fan of an anime series only to see hollywood make it into a movie and get everything wrong because they were "going to tell a better story by telling it thier way"? Yep i know you have (looking at the abomination that was the "Dragonball" movie)

    Ever been a fan of a game that had its legacy disrespected like i dont know...."Syndicate" for example? Yeah we have seen it many times and this is why there is so much hate. We see TOO much of it.

    And what do the 3 examples above have in common? They are all sellouts. Hollywood and big name game companies taking a legitimately popular series and making profits off it by making offshoots/ reboots and movies that dont even attempt to respect where it comes from or what made it popular. They just see dollar signs because they believe that everyone will throw thier money at it if they release something with the same name.

    Its got to stop and it starts with us gamers here and now. Dont back up projects that sellout the true talent of the originals for quick bucks for today's publishers and thier parent companies.

  • Banefire76

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 12:54 pm GMT

    @megadeth1117
    and you're the newest member

  • Vodoo

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 12:53 pm GMT

    This garbage game needs much more than a Hollywood voice. First & foremost, a better design team. The game stinks and they shouldn't ruin the Syndicate name by attaching it to this trash. Call it Brink 2 instead.

  • megadeth1117

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 12:40 pm GMT

    Bunch of whiny b*****s here.

  • DeathMetalPizza

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 12:26 pm GMT

    Michael Wincott? HELL YES!

  • turok0

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 12:24 pm GMT

    I'm happy there's no silly cover system to hinder gameplay. This game looks promising

  • clearheelz

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 12:21 pm GMT

    Yes you can polish a turd, but by the end of it..... it still a piece of crap.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 12:18 pm GMT

    You know, you can't polish a turd.

  • Banefire76

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 12:13 pm GMT

    Cox is a co...."Richard". I cant stand him and i already cant stand this excuse for a "Syndicate" game. You dont get hollywood names in a game to sell copies, you get the "best" person for the role, "Thats" what gaming integrity is, and this game has none. This follows the cheap "Game to Movie" principle that destroys the reputation of games everywhere. (Resident Evil eg.) Except this isnt taking the Syndicate name and making a movie that doesnt even attempt to honor the game, its making another game that doesnt even try to honor the original game.

    This has all the markings of a huge sellout written all over it and should be shunned by everyone just on principal. I am so damn sick and tired of seeing corporations using peoples nostalgia and the great name game designers made for themselves by delivering crap like this.

    Will look forward to this game bombing like it deserves.

  • TheGuardian03

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 12:09 pm GMT

    We need Will Smith for games.

  • Voice_of_Wisdom

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 11:50 am GMT

    i'm sure it's going to suck

  • Richardthe3rd

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 11:23 am GMT

    EA can wave their hands and tell me "these are the droids you're looking for" all they want.

    This isn't Syndicate, and it's not what I'm looking for.

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