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Meet the Man Behind Master Chief – Interesting Backstory to Microsoft’s Halo Game Character

By December 5, 2012April 8th, 2018No Comments
microsoft xbox halo master chief, halo 5 poster

For all of you gamers and interested in an iconic game character, Yahoo writer Chris Morris recently wrote an interesting article about the voice behind the Microsoft Xbox Game, Halo, and its main character, Master Chief. The article starts…

There’s a lot we still don’t know about Halo’s Master Chief from Microsoft, but it’s safe to say very few of us thought he’d be a classic rock DJ.

Steve Downes has given the Halo hero his voice since the very beginning. When he’s not busy battling the Covenant, blasting the Promethians, or chatting with Cortana, you can find him on WDRV (“The Drive”) in Chicago.

The 62-year-old DJ grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and while the 6’10” Master Chief’s face is permanently obscured behind his helmet’s shield, it’s a safe bet he looks little like Downes, who’s relatively short, sandy haired and wears glasses.

Downes is, in some ways, the Clark Kent to Halo’s Superman.

“For me, growing up, you had Superman, Batman, these mythic figures,” he told the Chicago Tribute. “Now, when I’m out in the world and hear someone talk about ‘Halo’ or I spot Master Chief staring at me from a store window, I smile. For a different generation, he is that heroic figure. I would be lying if I didn’t say I get the temptation to nudge a stranger and say, ‘Hey. See that guy in the green helmet? Guess what?’”

CHARACTERS AND THEIR STORIES, MAKE OR BREAK A GAME

Having played video games since I was about 8 years old, I firmly believe the characters make or break a game. The characters help shape your world, shape your experiences, and shape your decisions. The stories you hear from the character’s dialogue connect you on a deeper level to everything. Done right, done well, they immerse you in an alternative reality that sucks you in and brings you back hour after hour, year after year. That’s what great stories do…

Look at Call of Duty: Black Ops II. Sales hit $1 billion in JUST 15 days.

Photography Source:  Microsoft Halo 5 Poster

Ira Koretsky

Ira Koretsky has built The Chief Storyteller® into one of the most recognized names in communication, especially business storytelling. He has delivered over 500 keynote presentations and workshops in nearly a dozen countries, in more than one hundred cities, across 30 plus industries. His specialties are simplifying the complex and communicating when the stakes are high. He is also an adjunct professor in public speaking and storytelling at the University of Maryland's Business School. With over 25 years of experience, he is a sought-after storytelling coach, global speaker, trainer, consultant, communication coach, and public speaking coach.