David Menkin Reflects on His Journey as Hugh in Capcom's 'Pragmata'
David Menkin, the voice behind Hugh in Capcom's highly anticipated lunar-set third-person shooter 'Pragmata,' recently shared insights into his demanding yet rewarding journey. Despite the initial secrecy surrounding his involvement, Menkin's portrayal of Hugh, an astronaut navigating a robot-infested moon alongside the android Diana, has garnered significant attention following the game's release. He shed light on the intricacies of game development, the unique challenges of voice acting in a remote setting, and the profound personal connection he forged with his character, all while adhering to strict confidentiality.
Menkin describes his current week as exceptionally positive, with an influx of encouraging messages from players and streamers who have discovered his role in 'Pragmata.' This newfound recognition is particularly gratifying given the intense secrecy he maintained prior to the game's official launch. He humorously recounts his struggle to keep the project under wraps, even from close family members, resorting to vague acknowledgements and glacial shrugs in response to inquisitive questions. The actor likened the experience to a period of mourning, as he was unable to share the culmination of a year and a half's work, emphasizing that for him, it was far more than "just a game."
His immersion into the world of 'Pragmata' began in 2024, despite initially forgetting about the game after its reveal at the PlayStation 5 "Future of Gaming" stream in 2020. Menkin lauded Capcom for organizing a table read—a rarity in the industry—which allowed him to connect with fellow actors, including Grace Saif, who voices Diana. This collaborative session provided invaluable context, delving into the game's lore and extensive history. They explored early cinematic sequences, such as Hugh naming Diana and their arrival at the 3D-printed New York Level, setting the stage for their intertwined narrative.
The dynamic between Hugh and Diana is central to 'Pragmata's' narrative, yet Menkin and Saif recorded their lines separately, a common practice in game development to avoid technical complications. Menkin would lay down his dialogue, and Saif would then use his recordings as a reference. He even recounted a period where he intentionally lagged behind Saif in recording to continuously draw inspiration from her performance. This remote collaboration mirrors the challenges faced by film actors working opposite CGI characters, relying on a comprehensive support system of directors, writers, and audio engineers to ensure a cohesive and believable outcome. Menkin, with characteristic humility, confessed to having "zero transferable skills" beyond acting, expressing gratitude for the collaborative environment that enabled him to perform his role safely and effectively.
Unlike his previous roles in established franchises like 'Xenoblade Chronicles 2' and 'Final Fantasy XVI,' 'Pragmata' presented Menkin with the unique challenge of developing a completely new IP. This required him to fully embrace Hugh's character and then entrust the outcome to the creative team. He drew parallels between this uncertainty and the nervousness of voicing Luke Skywalker in 'Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga,' acknowledging the mix of panic and thrill that accompanies such significant roles. Menkin's deep-seated passion for space and science fiction, evident in his previous portrayals of Neil Armstrong, further enriched his connection to 'Pragmata's' lunar setting. His extensive knowledge of the moon, he humorously claimed, stemmed from years of engaging with space-related projects.
The confluence of 'Pragmata's' release and the Artemis 2 mission in the same month stirred a personal dilemma for Menkin. His enthusiasm for space exploration clashed with strict embargoes, making him cautious about sharing anything related to the moon on social media, lest he inadvertently hint at his involvement in the game. He described himself as a "terrible liar," necessitating a complete shutdown of communication to safeguard the secret. Once the review embargo lifted, Menkin subtly celebrated by sharing REM's "Man on the Moon" over an image from 'Pragmata's' lunar landscape, finally feeling the freedom to express his excitement. He mused on the peculiar nature of his profession, now that the weight of secrecy has been lifted, and 'Pragmata' is available to the world.