When you’re going to develop a game that stretches between suburban paradise and the hellhole of a simulated copy of downtown LA, you’re going to need some solid voice actors. And in GTA V not only did Rockstar get some professionals for the jobs, but they got some real gangsters as well.
Speaking to the WGN podcast, via Polygon, series writer and producer Lazlow Jones explained that the game contained thousands of hours of people talking naturally, with a lot of that ambient audio containing some authentic gang-talk. “In the game there’s these rival gangs. There’s Black gangs, Latino gangs. We recruited a guy who gets gang members, actual real gang members, like El Salvadoran gang dudes with amazing tattoos, one of which had literally gotten out of prison the day before,” Lazlo said.
We get these guys in to record the gang characters because we don’t want a goofy LA actor who went to a fancy school trying to be a hard gang member. There’s nothing worse than that, so just go find the terrifying people and say ‘can you come in here please?’
And true to form, some of these gangsters did not want to read all the lines given to them. So Lazlow had them ad lib what they wanted to say in order to make the game more authentic. Personally, I’m a little insulted that the Lazygamer massive was never consulted. We’re menaces to society, and frequently think about going over the speed limit when we take to the streets on our scooters.
GTA 5 is out later this month. Ese.
Last Updated: September 4, 2013
John of Vault 11
September 4, 2013 at 10:50
How street of them
Sageville
September 4, 2013 at 10:51
SA Gangsters > USA Gangsters
Ultimo_Cleric N7
September 4, 2013 at 10:53
And yet the most dangerous street gang in CT themselves the ‘Americans’.
John of Vault 11
September 4, 2013 at 11:04
Well, one of our most popular clubs in Cape Town is called Jo’burg.
And most Capetownians drive slow in the right lane. Strange place this province of ours.
Matthew Holliday
September 4, 2013 at 12:56
I wouldnt call it one of the most popular.
but it is popular, its on Long str, its hard not to be.
RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!
September 4, 2013 at 11:06
I think the 28’s would disagree 0-O
TiMsTeR1033
September 4, 2013 at 11:11
I think the gangs from cape flats would destroy some of the gangs in La! we got it tough here lol
Ultimo_Cleric N7
September 4, 2013 at 12:14
STREET gang. The 26’s – 28’s are primarily prison gangs that also operate at a street level.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 4, 2013 at 13:18
They’re still predominately prison gangs, but they have drug and other nefarious business links with street gangs. I think in some cases they share leadership, or something.
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 13:01
I would name my gang ERROR 37
Ultimo_Cleric N7
September 4, 2013 at 13:47
YES! Upvote.
Matthew Holliday
September 4, 2013 at 13:14
the 26’s and Americans actually overlap alot, so Im not sure they would.
26’s are involved with the collection of wealth, which basically means drugs
and the Americans are predominantly a drug orientated gang.
so they work together often and its actually possible to be an American and a 26 at the same time.
RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!
September 4, 2013 at 14:28
Have you seen that Die Antwood video where the gangsta describes the dif between the 26s and 28s, bloody brilliant!
Matthew Holliday
September 4, 2013 at 15:53
that video creeped me the fuck out.
because that exactly how it is…
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 13:00
Bwahahaha
HvR
September 4, 2013 at 11:28
If they put a character like General John Mongrel in GTA nobody would play it, they would be too disturbed by what they see and too scared to continue.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 4, 2013 at 13:20
There’s something seriously wrong with John Mongrel….
Matthew Holliday
September 4, 2013 at 12:58
26’s-28’s / the Americans, if done properly in a game, would turn GTA from an fun RPG to a hardcore Thriller/horror that makes Penumbra and Amnesia look like childrens stories.
BMXWufam
September 4, 2013 at 11:00
Wu-Tang !
RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!
September 4, 2013 at 11:06
Sorry Darryn, chewing hot chillies isn’t considered an initiation in most gangs… IT SHOULD BE!
John of Vault 11
September 4, 2013 at 11:16
In some countries it might actually be considered a reward.
TiMsTeR1033
September 4, 2013 at 11:15
YO GUYS CHECK THIS OUT!!!!!
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/03/world-first-hands-on-with-grand-theft-auto-v
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 13:02
SWEEEEEEET
TiMsTeR1033
September 4, 2013 at 13:08
I know right!
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 13:09
SWEEEEEEEET
TiMsTeR1033
September 4, 2013 at 13:14
*hands you a stick of TNT* HEHEHE
ianmin
September 4, 2013 at 11:16
Thug life…
Admiral Chief Awesomenaut
September 4, 2013 at 11:36
O_O
School photo there?
ianmin
September 4, 2013 at 11:44
If only I was that cool at school…
Admiral Chief Awesomenaut
September 4, 2013 at 11:58
WORSE???
Theo Steenekamp
September 4, 2013 at 11:21
GTA 6 Streets of Jozzi. Featuring the voices of YOlandi Rich Bitch Vi$$er and Ninja…
Coming to think of it, they don’t sound gangster, just plain fucking dumb.
Tarisma
September 4, 2013 at 11:25
lol, such win
ianmin
September 4, 2013 at 11:49
With Jack Parow exclusive DLC content. Hos ja!
Guest
September 4, 2013 at 11:35
..
Martin du preez
September 4, 2013 at 11:36
…
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 12:59
LA gangsters are sissies.
TiMsTeR1033
September 4, 2013 at 13:10
Die antword!!! I laugh they in gta 5! I mean they were in farcry 3
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 13:13
I wonder if the sound track has been leaked yet. I hate to think how much money they spent on royalties. I can Imagine Queen being one of the most expensive.
But yes, FAR CRY 3 Die Antword for the WIN.
TiMsTeR1033
September 4, 2013 at 13:15
Prob is hey sure I saw an article with full list of songs
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 4, 2013 at 13:15
Should have known it’s from Polygon – the trashiest read on the internet.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 4, 2013 at 13:21
The Lagz Massive is da BEST!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
September 4, 2013 at 13:39
Scooters? Scooters are for okes who want to ride bikes, but also like the feel of the wind on their vaginas.
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 15:07
tee hee hee