The Bert Show: "Vault: Can We Make This Bert Show Member's Voiceover Dreams Come True?"

Date: March 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This fun and heartwarming episode centers on helping longtime Bert Show member Melissa realize her “superficial” New Year's resolution: to do voice acting for a video game or animation. What starts as a lighthearted sharing of quirky goals turns into an unexpected, on-air fulfillment of Melissa’s dream, thanks to a surprise visit from representatives of Hi-Rez Studios, an Atlanta-based video game developer. Throughout the segment, the show keeps its trademark real, playful energy, blending surprise, geek culture enthusiasm, and genuine support for one another.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Superficial Resolutions – Setting the Stage

• The episode kicks off with hosts recalling their own “not-deep” New Year’s resolutions:
  • Bert: “I wanna catch a marlin next year, dammit.” [01:00]
  • Jen: Aspires to win a prize on a game show [01:16]
  • Melissa: “I love geek things... I always am fascinated... by the people that voice those characters in games or anime... So my superficial goal for 2009 is to voice something—anything—in gaming or animation.” [01:36]

2. Melissa's Voiceover Dream

• Melissa shares her passion for geek culture and her wish to contribute her voice to an animated work:
  • “Even if it’s just a one word thing, so that my voice can be on some kind of animation...” [01:36]
• The show teases that Melissa will get closer to her goal than anyone else this morning [02:15]

3. Surprise Studio Visit from Hi-Rez Studios

• Surprise guest: Todd Harris from Hi-Rez Studios enters the studio, joined by Michal. They reveal they’re fans of the show and have come to help fulfill Melissa’s goal. [02:21]
• Offer: Melissa is invited to voice a character in their upcoming major video game, part of a four-year development project. [02:48]
• The gesture’s magnitude sinks in for Melissa: “Wow. Okay.” [03:10]

4. Beyond Voice Acting: Motion Capture and Face Modeling

• The surprise gets even bigger: not only can Melissa voice a character, Hi-Rez will also model her face for a 3D character and capture her movements through motion capture:
  • “We’re actually going to help you overachieve this goal with the chance to not only have your voice in the game, but also have your face on an in-game character.” [03:13]
  • “You have a chance to have your moves immortalized in a video game with motion capture technology” [03:31]
  • Description of motion capture: “You’ll wear the black suit, with... golf ball, ping pong ball looking things... dancing, doing your moves, and that will actually be projected on your 3D in-game character.” [03:46]
• Melissa’s excitement is palpable: “That is so cool... My brother... is gonna freak out. This is awesome.” [04:17]

5. Details About the Game & Process

• The Hi-Rez team explains the game is “Global Agenda,” a new MMO with a “1984 meets Mission Impossible” future-Earth vibe, featuring player-created agencies and a breakaway from an authoritarian regime. [06:50]
• Melissa will record in January, following selection and preparation of a script and character design. [06:27]
• Hi-Rez also shares their credentials and that “Global Agenda” is their first major release, using a big local team including developers from famous franchises like City of Heroes and Call of Duty. [04:59]

6. In-Studio Playfulness & Impromptu Voice Acting

• The hosts ask Melissa to try out an authoritative line for a potential security officer character:
  • “‘Drop your weapons and turn around.’ Would that be something she might say?” [07:11]
  • Melissa gamely delivers: “Future—wait, hold on—future vibe: Drop your weapons and turn around.” [07:25-07:30]
  • “You’re gonna have to work with me though. See? Because I’m not an actor, but I will do my best.” [07:32]

7. Fan Reaction & Closure

• The hosts and Hi-Rez staff all share in the excitement, with Bert joking about living out his own video game fantasy and the team celebrating Melissa’s geeky Christmas-morning moment. [05:44, 05:57]
• Plans are made for her upcoming recording session and motion capture adventure [06:27–08:00]
• The team expresses gratitude to Hi-Rez and closes the segment with a buzz of anticipation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Melissa (on why the goal is special): “I love geek things... I always am fascinated... by the people that get the jobs to voice those characters.” [01:36]
• Hi Rez Studios Rep (revealing the surprise): “We heard about the superficial goals and we wanted to come here and help make it happen for you.” [02:33]
• Melissa (overjoyed): “Oh, that’d be awesome.” [02:46]
• Hi Rez Studios Rep (describing motion capture): “Hi Rez has one of Georgia’s only motion capture studios... we get you dancing, doing your moves, and that will actually be projected on your 3D in-game character.” [03:46]
• Melissa (geeking out): “My brother... is gonna freak out. This is awesome.” [04:17]
• Bert (teasing): “Is this gonna be like one of those naughty cop games to where I could take Melissa in the backseat of a car?” [05:47]
• Melissa (after being asked to perform): “You want me to say that now, don’t you?” [07:17]
• Melissa (giving it a shot): “Drop your weapons and turn around.” [07:25]
• Hi Rez Studios Rep (on capturing more than the voice): “There’s some technology that works off of a photograph... we can project that on the 3D model...” [07:40]
• Host (on Melissa’s excitement): “I wish everybody could see what a little kid Melissa looks like right now. She looks like a little kid on Christmas.” [05:57]

Important Timestamps

• [01:36] Melissa shares her dream of voicing an animated/video game character
• [02:21] Hi-Rez Studios representatives enter to surprise Melissa
• [03:13–03:46] Hi-Rez team lays out their full offer: voice, face, and motion capture for the game
• [04:17] Melissa reacts, thinking of family and geek pride
• [04:59] Hi-Rez discusses their team and the “Global Agenda” game
• [06:27] Plans set for Melissa’s recording session
• [07:11–07:30] Melissa attempts a “security officer” voice line
• [08:00] Segment wraps with excitement and gratitude

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is full of genuine excitement, playful teasing, and heartfelt support for a friend’s geeky dream. The energy is infectious—friendly, inclusive, and brimming with anticipation for Melissa’s upcoming adventure.

Summary

In this standout Bert Show episode, the team and Hi-Rez Studios come together to make Melissa’s voiceover dream a reality, delivering a moment of authentic surprise and joy. The segment not only highlights Melissa’s fandom and aspirations but also peels back the curtain on Atlanta’s thriving game development scene, all while maintaining the candid, lively mood that defines the show. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about geek culture, video games, or seeing dreams unexpectedly come true.