Introduction

Owlcat Games, the developer behind the upcoming RPG The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, has announced that it will replace the voice actor for the male protagonist. The decision comes after players complained about the actor’s emotional delivery during a closed beta test in April 2026.

Recasting the protagonist

In a Steam blog post, Owlcat Games said the voice of the male protagonist and his twin brother J will be recast. The studio suggested the actor was "less expressive than we wanted," which led to the change. It’s an unusual move, as it’s rare for developers to replace a voice actor based on feedback during a game’s testing phase.

Feedback from the beta also raised concerns about the in-game dialogue, the need to rewrite certain conversations, and the game’s overall narrative tone.

Game features

In The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, players can create their own character, with options for gender, appearance, and background (Belter, Earther, or Martian). The game offers detailed character customization, including the role of the protagonist and his twin brother J, both of whom are voiced by the same actor. While the female protagonist and the female version of J will not be changed, the studio says it remains committed to improving the male protagonist’s voice performance.

Development timeline

Timeline

• April 2026: The closed beta for The Expanse: Osiris Reborn takes place, with players providing feedback on various aspects of the game.
• 21 May 2026: Owlcat Games announces that the voice actor for the male protagonist and J will be replaced following negative feedback.
• 22 May 2026: The recasting news is confirmed across multiple gaming outlets, acknowledging player concerns.

Future updates

Owlcat Games has also outlined plans to improve gameplay and other quality-of-life aspects of the game based on player feedback. This includes more polished facial animations, a rework of the “Ask” system, and updates to the game’s cover system. The president of Owlcat Games added that the team is working toward a more intuitive user experience based on player impressions and criticism during the beta.

Conclusion

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is focused on delivering an immersive RPG experience, as shown by its response to player feedback and the decisions being made from that input. With a full release planned for 2027, Owlcat Games says there is still plenty of time to make adjustments and exceed fans’ expectations.