The creative minds behind Dispatch, narrative director Pierre Shorette and game director Nick Herman, recently shared insights about the journey of casting Aaron Paul as the game’s main character, Robert. They revealed the challenges that arose during the two-year process of working with the Breaking Bad star, suggesting that Paul might have had second thoughts had he known the extent of the commitment involved.
Shorette described the experience as “gruelling,” highlighting that they frequently needed Paul’s voice for just a few hours at a time, often after long breaks, which led to concerns that he might not want to work with them again. “It felt like water torture, a drip here and there,” he said, noting that they worried about the prolonged schedule causing Paul to reconsider his involvement. Herman echoed these sentiments, expressing that Paul likely would have declined the role had he fully understood the time investment it would entail.
Initially, AdHoc was considering the actor Rahul Kohli for the role, but thanks to a strong relationship with Paul, they crafted a compelling vision that appealed to him. Shorette mentioned that Paul’s prior experience with the animated comedy Bojack Horseman, which shares tonal similarities with Dispatch, played a significant role in his positive response to the project. Reflecting on the importance of Paul’s participation, Shorette admitted, “I don’t know what this is without him at this point.”
Following the release of Dispatch, Paul, who has since relocated to France, found himself recognized by fans grateful for his work in the game. He was approached by several individuals on the streets of Paris, which was a delightful surprise for him, considering most people typically reference his iconic role from Breaking Bad. This kind of reception, related to his performance in a video game rather than his famous TV role, marked a significant moment for Paul. Herman noted, “This is a thing that popped,” indicating the impact Dispatch has made in the gaming world.
The success of Dispatch, which has reportedly reached two million sales and solidified AdHoc’s presence in the industry, opens the door for a potential sequel. The favorable reception of Paul’s performance may increase his willingness to return for future projects from AdHoc. “It probably needed to do what it did for him to be interested in doing it again,” Herman added, hinting at the positive relationship between the game’s success and Paul’s future collaboration.
As AdHoc contemplates the next steps for Dispatch and begins developing a new game inspired by the D&D adventures of Critical Role, they find themselves rejuvenated and optimistic about the opportunities ahead. The collective effort has not only brought AdHoc back into the spotlight but has also established a promising future for their creative projects.