Annapurna Interactive's upcoming musical turn-based RPG People of Note has expanded its voice and music cast with the addition of Joe Zieja, Erika Ishii, Debra Wilson, and several other performers who bring both acting and vocal talent to the project. The game launches later this year for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title. The team has also unveiled a new musical number called "Mashup," showcasing how the game blends turn-based combat with musical performance.
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Bringing Characters to Life Through Music and Voice
The story centers on Cadence, a pop diva assembling a band on her path to stardom, and the cast structure reflects the game's dual emphasis on voice acting and singing. Erika Ishii, whose credits include Halo: Infinite and Deathloop, voices Synthia, an EDM-focused bandmate. Ishii is paired with vocalist Amanda Angeles, whose musical theatre background complements Ishii's orchestral music experience. This pairing ensures the character feels authentic in both dialogue and musical segments.
Joe Zieja takes on Sharp, a snobbish music manager and politician. Zieja, who has voiced Bruce Banner in Marvel Rivals and Wriothesley in Genshin Impact, also handles Sharp's singing parts. Zieja has described the experience of singing as a character in a video game as a new challenge, requiring both theatrical and vocal range to capture Sharp's over-the-top personality.
Heather Gonzalez and Lexxe share the role of Cadence, the game's protagonist, with Gonzalez providing the voice acting and Lexxe handling the singing. Their performances anchor the game's music-driven storytelling, particularly in sequences like "Mashup," where Cadence recruits the old-school rocker Fret into her band. Fret is voiced and sung by Jason Charles Miller, who also wrote and produced most of the game's musical tracks, creating cohesion across the soundtrack.
Debra Wilson voices Martell, a high-ranking figure in the Homestead forces. Wilson's performance emphasizes her character's intensity and precision, aligning with the game's narrative emphasis on music as both a storytelling and gameplay mechanic.
Music at the Core of Gameplay
Rather than using music as background or atmosphere like traditional RPGs, People of Note integrates music directly into gameplay. Battles function as performances where characters' actions are tied to musical rhythm and genre-based mechanics. The development team carefully paired voice actors with singers to maintain consistency in character voices and musical tone, ensuring that each performance contributes meaningfully to both narrative and combat. The previously released track "Under the Lights" introduced players to the game's musical approach, and additional musical numbers will be unveiled ahead of release.
Availability and Platforms
People of Note arrives later this year for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud, with Xbox Play Anywhere support allowing players to access the game across multiple platforms with a single purchase. The title is currently available to wishlist on the Microsoft Store.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When does People of Note release?
People of Note is scheduled to launch later this year for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud.
Which platforms will People of Note be available on?
The game will be playable on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title.
Who is in the cast of People of Note?
The cast includes Joe Zieja, Erika Ishii, Debra Wilson, Heather Gonzalez, Lexxe, Amanda Angeles, and Jason Charles Miller, among others. The cast features both voice actors and professional singers to bring characters to life.
What type of game is People of Note?
People of Note is a musical turn-based RPG where battles are performed as musical sequences. Players follow Cadence as she recruits musicians and navigates the path to stardom, with gameplay combining traditional RPG strategy with rhythm and music-based mechanics.
Can you hear the characters sing in-game?
Yes, the game features performances where characters sing as part of combat and narrative sequences. Some characters are voiced by one actor and sung by another to ensure both vocal performance and acting are authentic.
Where can I find more information about People of Note?
Updates and new musical numbers are regularly shared on Annapurna Interactive's Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, and official website at annapurnainteractive.com.
