Square Enix recently conducted an official interview with Ben Starr, discussing his journey portraying Clive Rosfield and his overall experience with Final Fantasy XVI. During this engaging conversation, Ben reflected on his four-year commitment to the game, elaborating on the creative process and even sharing anecdotes about meeting Britt Baron, the voice of Tifa from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, after he famously cosplayed as her.
While reminiscing about his four years with Final Fantasy XVI, Starr initially focused on the game’s development. He later highlighted how his involvement elevated him to a representative role for the franchise.
Here’s a comprehensive quote from Ben Starr regarding his experience with Final Fantasy XVI during the Square Enix interview:
“There was a hidden phase of my work on the project with my colleagues who eventually became like family to me.”
“Then came the release year.”
“Now, I’m enjoying the aftermath of that intense year, embracing the hard work I’ve put into it. It was all-consuming, perhaps even unhealthily so, but I did it because I was passionate about it. Recognizing the wonderful opportunity this represented, I understand that chances like this are rare.”
“I’m thankful for having come through that challenging time. It might sound trivial, but it was a tremendous responsibility to act as a spokesperson for both the game and the franchise. Discussing not just Final Fantasy XVI, but the entire Final Fantasy universe, excites me.”
“I attended awards in Final Fantasy VIII t-shirts, proudly displaying my favorite characters. My aim was to be a conduit through which fans could engage with the franchise and share their love for it freely. I wanted to boldly announce to the gaming world: ‘Final Fantasy is fantastic, let’s delve into it!’”
“While I have an affinity for Final Fantasy VIII, my hope is for everyone to feel comfortable expressing their enthusiasm for characters like Terra, Vivi, or Rydia. Everyone has the right to appreciate their favorite character in their own way.”
“If I can help open discussions for fans, then I’m all for it!”
“However, carrying that kind of pressure was self-imposed, but now I feel a sense of relief akin to Thanos at the conclusion of Infinity War. It has all been worthwhile (laughs).”
When discussing his amusing encounter with Britt Baron after he posted a photo of his Tifa cosplay, Ben Starr shared, “I reached out to Britt a few days later to apologize!” He then praised several cast members from Rebirth, saying, “Britt is fantastic, as are Brianna White (Aerith) and Suzie Yeung (Yuffie). Spending time with them was a blast. John Bentley (Barret) is one of the most energetic and charismatic people I’ve ever met!”
Sexiest British Man 2024. pic.twitter.com/xeUBv5br0C
— Ben Starr (@The_Ben_Starr) May 20, 2024
Since his portrayal of Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy XVI, Ben Starr has featured in various other video game projects. He was recently unveiled as the voice behind Prometheus in Hades 2 and is set to voice Verso in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which is scheduled for release in 2025. Additionally, he regularly shares humorous videos, memes, and updates on social media.
Final Fantasy XVI is now available on PS5 and PC.
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