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For many players in France and French-speaking territories, Kratos did not sound
like anyone else but Éric Peter. In the original Greek mythology trilogy — God of
War, God of War II, and God of War III — Peter delivered a performance that captured
the raw fury, pain, and tragic depth of the Ghost of Sparta.
While the English version featured Terrence C. Carson, French players experienced
Kratos through Peter’s intense vocal power. His iconic screams — especially the
thunderous cry of “ARES!” — became legendary among fans of action-adventure
games and PlayStation exclusives.
At a time when video game localization was often underestimated, Éric Peter
proved that French dubbing could match the emotional weight and cinematic
ambition of AAA titles. His performance contributed significantly to the global
success of the franchise developed by Santa Monica Studio.
A Career Beyond God of War
Although Kratos remains one of his most recognized roles, limiting Éric Peter to a
single character would be a disservice to his extraordinary career.
From 1998 until the final years of his life, he lent his voice to nearly fifty major
video game titles across some of the industry’s biggest franchises:
Borderlands (Brick)
BioShock
Call of Duty
Resident Evil
Far Cry
League of Legends (Volibear)
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
Metro 2033
Just Cause
His range extended from brutal warriors to cunning villains, mercenaries, and
authority figures. In Borderlands, his portrayal of Brick showed a different side of
his talent — rough yet charismatic, violent yet strangely humorous.
In competitive gaming circles, fans of League of Legends remember his
interpretation of Volibear, where he infused mythic intensity into the thunder god
champion.
A Major Figure in French Anime Dubbing
Éric Peter’s impact was not limited to video games. Anime fans also grew up
hearing his voice in some of Japan’s most beloved franchises.
He portrayed Nappa and Dodoria in Dragon Ball Z Kai, bringing power and menace
to two iconic antagonists from the Saiyan and Frieza arcs. For French-speaking
fans of Dragon Ball, his voice became inseparable from those characters.
He also played Togari in the 1999 adaptation of Hunter x Hunter, and voiced Aokiji
in One Piece, one of the most globally successful anime franchises in history.
Beyond acting, he served as artistic director for the French version of Great Teacher
Onizuka (GTO), ensuring high-quality localization and performance consistency.
His work helped elevate anime dubbing standards in France during the late 1990s
and early 2000s — a golden era for Japanese animation imports.
Film and Television Contributions
Outside gaming and anime, Éric Peter built an impressive résumé in cinema and
live-action series.
He was the French voice of Douglas Hodge — known to many as Alfred Pennyworth
in Joker — further demonstrating his ability to handle complex, layered characters.
His voice could also be heard in international series and dramas, including French
dubs of popular American productions. Whether in crime dramas, political thrillers,
or fantasy series, his tone carried authority and emotional depth.
This versatility is what defined him. He could move from the rage of a Spartan
demigod to the cold arrogance of a Saiyan warrior without losing authenticity.
The Timing: A Return of the Greek Saga
The emotional weight of his passing resonates even more strongly today because
of recent announcements surrounding the God of War franchise.
Following the immense success of the Norse mythology reboot — beginning with
God of War — Sony recently revealed plans for a remake of the original Greek
trilogy during a State of Play event.
For longtime fans, this revival represents nostalgia, remastered gameplay, and a
return to the brutal origins of Kratos. Sadly, the Ghost of Sparta will now require a
new French voice for future adaptations.
Yet, many fans agree that any upcoming French version will likely pay tribute to
Éric Peter’s foundational performance — the voice that first made Olympus
tremble.
A Monument of French Voice Acting
A quick look at professional dubbing databases reveals the magnitude of his
career: nearly 300 credited performances across multiple media formats.
He belonged to a generation of voice actors who treated dubbing as a serious art
form. Long before celebrity voice casting became a marketing strategy, Peter and
his contemporaries built immersive experiences through discipline, vocal
technique, and emotional intelligence.
In France, dubbing is not simply translation — it is performance. And Éric Peter
stood among its elite craftsmen.
Industry Reactions and Fan Tributes
Since the announcement of his death, tributes have flooded social media platforms
from gamers, anime fans, fellow actors, and industry professionals.
For many, hearing his voice was part of childhood memories:
Late nights playing God of War II on PlayStation 2.
Discovering anime classics on television.
Experiencing epic boss battles and unforgettable cinematic cutscenes.
His passing also highlights a broader conversation about the importance of voice
actors in gaming culture. As the video game industry surpasses film in global
revenue, the contributions of localization artists remain essential to immersive
storytelling.
Why His Legacy Matters in Gaming History
Search trends already show a surge in interest for:
“French voice of Kratos”
“Éric Peter God of War”
“Kratos VF original voice actor”
“Dragon Ball Z Kai Nappa French voice”
“God of War Greek trilogy remake”
These keywords reflect something deeper than nostalgia — they represent
recognition. Recognition that voice actors are central to emotional engagement in
narrative-driven games.
Without Éric Peter, the early God of War trilogy would not have had the same
cultural impact in French-speaking markets.
The End of an Era
As the Ghost of Sparta prepares to return in remastered form, fans will undoubtedly
revisit those original PlayStation titles — and hear once more the voice that
defined Kratos for over a decade.
Éric Peter may have laid down the Blades of Chaos, but his roar will continue to
echo through gaming history.
He leaves behind a body of work that spans:
AAA video games
Legendary anime franchises
Major film productions
High-quality French dubbing direction
Most importantly, he leaves behind memories — powerful, emotional,
unforgettable.
The world of French dubbing has lost one of its giants. But in the pantheon of video
game voice acting, Éric Peter has already secured his place among the immortals.
Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and the millions of fans who
grew up hearing his voice.
Rest in peace, Spartan.
