Roger Craig Smith has voiced loads of iconic video game characters, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Arkham Origins’ Batman, and Apex Legends fan-favorite Mirage. He’s perhaps best known for his performance as the ledge-climbing, leap-of-faith-taking Ezio Auditore da Firenze in Assassin’s Creed II (and several other games in the franchise), but fans of Assassin’s Creed will likely be surprised to learn that Smith is absolutely terrified of ledges.
In a recent interview with Forbes, Smith–who is a big fan of gaming–was asked if there’s a specific gaming memory in his life that “stands out.” For Assassin’s Creed fans, his answer was a bit unexpected.
“Climbing to the top of a tower in Assassin’s Creed II and synchronising so the map unlocks for you; that iconic and sweeping entrance [to the game] always gets me,” Smith said. “I have a fear of ledges, and this game would give me the heebie jeebies moving around up there. I’d get butterflies in my stomach, but it’s such a beautiful moment. Getting to be a part of it and seeing what everyone had worked so hard to create was just such a ‘Wow,’ moment for me.”
Smith also revealed which game he’d play for the rest of his life, if he were only allowed to play one.
“I’ll cheat and say the entire Assassin’s Creed franchise,” Smith answered. “That’ll give me at least a lifetime of gaming there. Aside from the fact that I got to be a part of the franchise so early on, I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed playing all of the games. The music, storytelling, visuals, gameplay–it all works so well, and that’s rare to have everything fire off and hit the way those games do.”
Smith did add that he hasn’t had much time for gaming as of late due to being busy with work, saying that it’s “no way to live,” and that he needs to “turn [his] gamer card in.”
Still, Smith has always had a reputation for genuinely enjoying games. In the wake of Apex Legends’ wildly successful 2019 launch, Smith and fellow Apex voice actor Chris Edgerly (who voices Pathfinder) did several livestreams together, playing Apex and messing with unsuspecting teammates by using their respective Apex characters’ voices in voice chat.
Overall, Smith seems extremely content with the state of his career. When asked if there are any video game voice roles he wishes he’d gotten, he simply expressed gratitude for the opportunities he’s had in the industry.
“Lightning has struck so many times in my life and career,” Smith explained. “I’ve been able to look people in the eye and tell them that I’m the voice of Ezio, Batman, and Sonic. In all honesty, I just look forward to the next project. It’s amazing to think that there’s somebody out there who loves games and storytelling and is creating something we can’t even imagine that could become the next Assassin’s Creed.”
Speaking of the next game in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches on Thursday, March 20, but you can check out GameSpot’s review of the latest entry in the long-running series now.
