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Troy Baker, the prolific voice actor behind Joel in The Last of Us, is making a bold career pivot today. The legendary actor announced he’s beginning conversations to launch his own game studio, marking a stunning shift from two decades of voice acting dominance to hands-on game development.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The Announcement: Troy Baker revealed plans on Kinda Funny Games podcast to explore building his own studio.
- His Legacy: Voice actor credited in over 430 games and animations across blockbusters like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
- Timeline Insight: Baker emphasizes he won’t rush the process, prioritizing the right strategic decisions.
- Inspiration: Cites Abubakar Salim, who founded Surgent Studios after starring in Assassin’s Creed Origins.
The Voice Acting Icon Wants to Tell His Own Stories
Troy Baker has spent two decades as gaming’s most recognizable voice actor, lending his talent to 430+ games and animations. Now, he’s ready for the next chapter. Speaking to Kinda Funny Games, Baker expressed his desire to shift from performing characters others created to developing stories on his own terms.
“I want to build a team,” Baker stated. “I am excited about building a studio with people that I’ve worked with, that I trust, and going, ‘Here’s my idea. How can you make it better?’ ” This represents a fundamental career transformation for the actor who voiced Joel Miller in The Last of Us, Booker DeWitt in BioShock Infinite, and Indiana Jones in the recently released Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
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Learning from Industry Legends Shapes His Vision
Baker’s decision to create a studio stems from years of collaboration with industry titans. He has worked directly with Ken Levine (BioShock creator), Hideo Kojima (Death Stranding), Neil Druckmann (Naughty Dog), Todd Howard (Bethesda), and the late Vince Zampella (Call of Duty, Battlefield). Each partnership taught him invaluable lessons about storytelling and game design.
“These people are paragons of the industry,” Baker explained. “I’ve learned so much from them, and what I am excited about doing is taking those tenets and principles of wildly successful titles.” He aims to replicate the processes and practices used in industry-defining games, applying them to his own creative vision.
A Measured Approach, No Rush Timeline
Despite his enthusiasm, Baker won’t launch immediately. He has witnessed peers who “rushed into opportunities” and ended up compromising their vision. “I want to avoid doing something rushed,” he emphasized. His caution reflects the stakes involved in founding a studio.
| Timeline Factor | Baker’s Position |
| Studio Launch Date | TBA, not tomorrow or next week |
| Planning Phase | Beginning conversations with trusted collaborators |
| Responsibility Focus | Making right choices before others depend on them |
| Studio Model | Building teams with people he trusts deeply |
“If I’m going to create a studio where other people are going to be responsible for my choices, I have to make the right ones.”
— Troy Baker, Voice Actor and Musician
Precedent: How Other Gaming Actors Built Studios
Abubakar Salim proved the actor-to-developer path is viable. The performer who voiced Bayek in Assassin’s Creed Origins and appeared in House of the Dragon founded Surgent Studios, releasing the successful title Tales of Kenzera, Zau in 2024. Baker cited Salim as direct inspiration, showing that gaming actors can successfully transition to development roles.
Baker’s current workload remains staggering despite his studio ambitions. He’s voicing Jack Pepper in the recently released Mouse: P.I. For Hire and is set to perform in Naughty Dog’s upcoming new IP, Intergalactic, The Heretic Prophet. His agent reportedly limits his role offers because he receives so many simultaneously.
What Does This Mean for Troy Baker’s Future in Voice Acting?
Baker showed no signs of abandoning voice acting entirely. He genuinely loves the work, telling Variety, “The problem is, there’s a lot of amazing studios out there making amazing games that I want to be a part of.” His studio venture represents a parallel path rather than a complete career departure.
The shift reflects a broader industry trend of creative talent seeking ownership and creative control. By building his own studio, Baker gains the power to greenlight projects he believes in, develop stories aligned with his vision, and mentor the next generation of game developers. This evolution from industry performer to studio founder could reshape his legacy beyond voice acting alone.
Sources
- PC Gamer – Coverage of Troy Baker’s new game studio announcement and career shift
- Yahoo Tech/GameSpot – Interview details and direct quotes from Baker’s Kinda Funny Games appearance
- Eurogamer – Background on Baker’s collaborations with industry legends and studio plans
