Reflecting on the creation of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, one can’t help but wonder about the developers at MachineGames who, several years back, decided to capture every nuance of Indiana Jones using Harrison Ford’s likeness. This decision would require the character not just to carry Ford’s name but to embody his look, sound, and movements just as fans remember from the classic 1980s films — showcasing Indy in his adventurous prime, rather than the older versions seen in later movies.
Creating a game is challenging enough, but achieving this ambitious feat is nothing short of miraculous, largely thanks to Troy Baker. Known for his unforgettable roles as Joel in The Last of Us and Sam Drake in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Baker faced the formidable task of channeling Indiana Jones — a character etched in pop culture history. Anything less than capturing Ford’s iconic voice precisely wasn’t an option.
Through a revealing video released by BAFTA, we gain insights into how Baker accomplished this impressive task. According to cinematic producer Mitra Ashkan Far, Baker embraced a bit of method acting from the project’s outset. During the initial virtual table read — held over Microsoft Teams due to the pandemic — he adopted the screen name “Indiana Jones” and came equipped with the essential props: Indy’s trademark fedora and bullwhip.
Both Far and voice-over designer Emily Hesler highlight the vital role performance director Tom Keegan played. With a background featuring work on multiple Wolfenstein and Star Wars titles, Keegan excelled at immersing actors into their roles, says Hesler. At around the 7:20 mark in the 27-minute video, Hesler showcases some voice clips of Baker in action as Indy, emphasizing the unique elements in his grunts that mimic Ford’s style so well.
Hesler remarks, “That right there is pure Indy,” chuckling with admiration at Baker’s ability to inject personality into even brief sounds, surpassing the mere depiction of being hit in the face.
For Hesler, the depth of Baker’s grunts conveys more than physical action; they hint at Indy’s frustration in a pinch but also reflect his determination and confidence — a subtle assurance that he’ll turn the tables on his attacker.
“There’s a certain breathiness that has to be there,” Hesler elaborates. “There’s still tone, but also a sense of annoyance. A hint of attitude or personality has to be present. And once again, Troy nails it.”
Having spent countless hours immersed in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I remain in awe of Baker’s portrayal of Indy, for which he received recognition at the 2025 DICE Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Character. Players can look forward to its release on PlayStation 5 this coming spring.
