Reflecting on the journey of creating “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,” it’s intriguing to consider if the development team really understood the magnitude of their decision to perfectly emulate Harrison Ford’s iconic portrayal. This wasn’t just about capturing Indiana Jones as a character, but delivering the full embodiment of Ford’s charm and charisma from the 1980s films. It’s that classic Indy, not the older version we see in later movies, that they were aiming to bring back to life.
Creating any game is no small feat, but MachineGames really outdid themselves with this ambitious goal, largely thanks to Troy Baker. Known for his outstanding performances as Joel in “The Last of Us” and Sam Drake in “Uncharted 4,” Baker had the formidable task of stepping into one of pop culture’s most revered roles. Anything less than a flawless impression of Ford wouldn’t suffice.
A recent BAFTA video shed some light on how Baker achieved this. Beginning with method acting of sorts, Baker took his commitment to the role to the next level. During the first table read, held online due to the pandemic, he logged in as “Indiana Jones” and came equipped with Indy’s signature fedora and bullwhip, as shared by cinematic producer Mitra Ashkan Far.
Both Far and voice-over designer Emily Hesler credit performance director Tom Keegan, noted for his work on several Wolfenstein and Star Wars games, with greatly helping the cast embody their characters. In the video, around the 7:20 mark, Hesler shares a moment where Baker’s performance truly shines. Hearing him grunt as Indy, you can tell there’s something more there—something uniquely Ford-like.
Hesler expresses her amazement, noting the depth and personality in Baker’s grunts, which convey more than just physical pain. They embody Indy’s frustration, strength, and determination, hinting at his inevitable comeback against any adversary.
“It’s about the breathiness,” Hesler explains, “keeping the tone while also adding that touch of annoyance, that bit of attitude. And Troy nails it.”
Having spent countless hours immersed in “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,” Baker’s portrayal still fascinates me. It’s no wonder he earned a share in the 2025 DICE Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character. Fans won’t have to wait much longer as the game gears up for its release on PlayStation 5 this spring.
