Derek McEwan on voice acting, horror games, Scottish accents, and bringing game characters to life
Derek McEwan has lent his voice to games including Bendy and the Dark Revival and Timore Redo, bringing characters to life through performance, tone, timing, and emotional control.
In this Fix Gaming Channel interview, we get to know the person behind the mic. Derek talks about how he started, how his Scottish accent shapes his work, what it takes to prepare for horror roles, why voice acting matters in games, and how real performance still brings something AI voices cannot fully replace.
Q: First, could you list some video games you’ve lent your voice to?
A: Ooh, there have been quite a few that I’ve been in. Let’s see now, off the top of my head, I have been in ‘Timore Redo,’ ‘Theater Unrest,’ ‘Chimney Prowler,’ ‘Bendy and the Dark Revival,’ ‘Defend the Highlands and Defend the Highlands World tour,’ ‘Anglerfish,’ ‘The Pancakes Official Game Show,’ and quite a few more that I can’t remember at the moment.
Bendy and the Dark Revival – Official Gameplay Trailer
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Q: What’s your professional background, and how did it evolve into a career in voice acting for video games?
A: I used to perform in the theatre in my teens and thoroughly enjoyed it. I then did a stint on a local radio show with my girlfriend as a DJ/host, playing obscure video game music and industrial music. After that, I did some short films for friends on YouTube. I prefer to use my voice these days due to a condition called post-thrombotic syndrome, which severely restricted my ability to get around, so I started doing small gigs, making Twitch alert sounds and funny answering machine messages for people. This led to bigger gigs like audiobooks and reading out scripts for radio adverts and so on, until one day I was asked to perform for the game ‘Defend the Highlands,’ and after that, I just kept getting the gigs. I am especially appreciative of Vidas Salavejus, also known as Mr. Timore, and The Meatly, who both continue to amaze me with the games they come out with, whether I’m in them or not.
Q: Your Scottish accent is distinctive. How do you feel it contributes to your voice acting?
A: I actually find that people tend to want me to exaggerate my accent more. You know, I don’t sound “Scottish enough” sometimes. But you always have to adapt to the roles you are given, even if it’s just a few lines. You should always play it as though it’s the most important gig you have ever been in, and I always try to improve by practicing different techniques, including false chord growls, which are handy for monsters. I can adapt to a few accents so far, but as always, I’m still learning, and that’s something to remember: there is no such thing as perfection, so just practice.
Q: How do you prepare for demanding roles in horror games like Bendy and Timore?
A: For ‘Timore,’ Vidas is a wonderful director as well as a creator; he knows exactly what he wants out of his voice actors, and I usually give him three takes to choose from. My technique for his games is to try and imagine what kind of stress the characters are under. Or, in the case of ‘Chimney Prowler,’ I was basically a disgruntled Santa Claus, so I just had fun with it. For ‘Bendy and the Dark Revival,’ I knew that Steve had a tragic story, but the part I was speaking for was when he first started working at the studios, so I had him as a slightly cocky, overly sarcastic character, but who came across as friendly and slightly shy at the same time. Not an easy task, but I think I managed it okay.
Q: How do you believe voice acting contributes to immersive storytelling in games?
A: I always remember getting annoyed or skipping long, text-based dialogues in games when I was younger because they didn’t hold my interest as much as they should have, especially in RPGs or occasionally point-and-click adventure games. But when I played Discworld 2 on PC and heard all the characters speaking, I knew I had to listen to every joke, every plot line, and even the squeaks of the Death of Rats. Now, if I’m playing any game at all with voice acting in it, I stop and listen to the story, even if it’s in another language, like in the Yakuza games. I feel that games have evolved from a pick-up-and-play hobby to more like immersive art now. The stories that are woven and acted out properly are wonderful, and I can’t get enough of them. Being part of the narrative in a game is an absolute joy to me, and I hope to continue performing as long as I can.
Q: How do you view the impact of AI on voice acting?
A: The problem with AI voice acting is that, although you can use it to voice an entire script, you miss out on the little nuances and inflections that a real voice actor brings to the role. AI voices are very literal in the way they speak, and it can be quite jarring when you notice it, like when certain words are mispronounced or the script is missing punctuation, and the AI voiceover just spoke flatly over what should have been a question. I honestly don’t have an issue with AI when used correctly, but if you want a performance that an audience will accept as genuine, then you’re better off getting a real-life voice actor to perform the role.
Q: What tools or setup do you use for voice work?
A: Well, I can’t give away all my secrets, but I will say that you don’t need an expensive setup to start with. I would suggest a condenser microphone, and make sure you get a pop filter and shock mount. As for software, if you can’t afford professional studio software, then Audacity works extremely well. YouTube is a great tool for learning how to use the software you need. I prefer working from home as I can record in comfort, but studios are great for large-scale projects if the client is willing to pay for the time.
Q: Any exciting projects on the horizon?
A: I apologize, but my lips are sealed for now. You’ll just have to wait and see.
Q: Any advice or creative practices that helped you grow as a voice actor?
A: Well, I used to be in a band when I was a lot younger, never famous though, but the vocal warm-ups always helped. They might feel a little silly to start with, but if you’re working for ten hours at a time on an audiobook, you need to make sure you don’t strain your voice. My main suggestion to anyone looking to get into any kind of voice acting is to read a book out loud, either by yourself or to someone. Even reading a chapter every so often can help you get used to speaking as you read. Also, try not to rush through the words. It’s tempting to go fast, but you have to remember that people need to understand what you’re saying. Practice getting to know what your voice can do, experiment with characters, and just have fun with it. Make sure it’s a book you enjoy, though; you don’t want to fall asleep.
Q: Who would you recommend for a future Fix Gaming Channel interview?
A: Oh, that’s quite tricky as I have a list of folk a mile long that you could talk to. I don’t want to leave anyone out, so I will just say, check out some of the up-and-coming talent out there; give the new folk a chance to shine and to any of the veteran Voice actors out there I would just like to say, remember we all have to start somewhere.
Q: Where can readers follow your work?
X: @ScottishGeeks
YouTube: @ScottishGeekPlays
Twitch: @ScottishGeekPlays
Fiverr: derek247
Voquent: Profile
Derek McEwan / ScottishGeekPlays Video
Final Thoughts
My conversation with Derek McEwan highlights the important role voice actors play in making game worlds feel alive. A strong voice performance can turn a written line into a character, a small role into a memory, and a horror scene into something that stays with the player long after the game ends.
Derek’s answers also show how much craft sits behind voice work: warm-ups, patience, experimentation, emotional control, character understanding, and the willingness to keep learning. Voice acting is not only about having a memorable voice. It is about knowing how to use it.
Related Reading
For more conversations with creators working around games, visit our Industry Insiders hub. You can also read our horror-focused feature, From Shadows to Sound — Vidas Salavejus’s creations in horror gaming.
Written by Ronny Fiksdahl, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Fix Gaming Channel.
Send interview pitches, corrections, tips, or developer stories to contact@fixgamingchannel.com.
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