For Alexander Peters, Thursday (October 16) was a special day as MechWarrior 5: Clans officially launched on Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam. The Winkler-based voice actor, known locally as a Golden West Broadcasting news anchor, has brought the character of Liam to life in the latest installment of the iconic video game series, which has already received rave reviews.
“It’s not technically my video game—I was just in it,” Peters joked, “but I see it as mine because it’s my baby.” The opportunity came unexpectedly last year in Vancouver, where Peters had moved to pursue acting. “My wife and I moved out there a couple of years ago so I could do film and TV,” he explained. “I did some indie movies and short films, and then, a director I had worked with reached out to say, ‘Hey, I’ve got a motion capture project for you.’ That’s all I knew at the time, but it turned out to be bigger than I thought.”
An exciting challenge
The journey to bring Liam to life was a new challenge for Peters, who had no previous experience with motion capture. “I didn’t know much about it, but I figured, ‘Why not give it a shot?’” he said. After auditioning, he quickly landed the role. “It was a big moment for me.”
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"[The game] is gritty, intense, and a lot of fun." - Alexander Peters
MechWarrior 5: Clans brings players into a sci-fi universe where humanity is still at war, even after leaving Earth behind. "The story is set in the future, where a group of humans known as the Clans returns to reclaim their lost worlds," Peters explained. "You’re piloting massive mechs, completing missions, and navigating this war-torn galaxy. It’s gritty, intense, and a lot of fun."
A game to bring friends together
For Peters, one of the game's standout features is the ability to play the campaign cooperatively. "You can team up with friends and experience the story together, which is rare for video games," he said. "It makes it feel more like an adventure, where you’re not just playing alone but really sharing the journey."
Since the game has gone live, Peters has already made plans to jump in and play—though he hasn’t received a free copy. "I’ve asked repeatedly, but I haven’t gotten any responses,” he said, grinning. “I guess I’ll be buying my own, but I’m excited to dive in with my friends.”
Since 1984
The MechWarrior franchise has a long history, dating back to 1984, and Peters is honored to contribute to its legacy. "It's surreal to be a part of something with such a deep-rooted fan base," he reflected. “Growing up, I never thought I’d be in a video game, let alone a series that’s been around for decades.”
Is there more in the future?
Peters also holds out hope for the future of his character. "They’ve said if Liam is liked enough, there could be more opportunities,” he shared. “I’d love to come back for DLC or a sequel. It’s been such a rewarding experience, and I’m grateful for every moment.”
Learn more about MechWarriors 5: Clans here.
With files from Jayme Giesbrecht.