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Duncan Fisher: Who is he and where do his loyalties lie?


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#1 George Ledoux

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 12:43 PM

"Hello everybody, this is Duncan Fisher..."

Ok, now that you've read that in DF's voice let me state that I'm not sure if this is the best area to pose my question so forgive me if I'm mistaken...

As the actor who played Duncan Fisher in MW4: Mercenaries, I've always wondered about what his background and back story would be if it was written up and added to the official Canon. As it stands, Duncan was simply a character that was created by one of the game designers of MW4:Mercs and myself. The game designer, Ferret Beudoin gave me the words and I gave Duncan a voice. But... I've always wanted to know more about him.

I know he was a Solaris jock before becoming an announcer but who does he root for when the mics are off? Where did he come from? How did he get to be a "retired mech jock" when it seems that most mech pilots end their careers by getting killed?

There seems to be a lot of talent around here so I thought this would be a good place to ask.

Thanks for your time and any responses! :)

#2 AH Warhawk

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 12:48 PM

YEAAAAAAH BOYYY!

#3 Z0MBIE Y0SHI

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 12:59 PM

Oh snap, its Duncan Fisher!

I honestly know very little about him during this time frame, but it's awesome to see you here.

#4 Mechwarrior Of Rock

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:01 PM

I have no idea Mr. Ledoux and i'm sorry that I can't give you the answer. Though may I say you gave this character a great voice. YOU ROCK!

This is ElWolf70 The Brony Gamer logging off.

#5 Vulpesveritas

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:05 PM

wasn't there a line somewhere that he got his legs blown off or something?.....

#6 Z0MBIE Y0SHI

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:05 PM

Loved your out takes, btw




#7 Tenrai

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:12 PM

Lets get creative and see if we can get a good backstory going and pass it off to Piranah to add the the game...Would love to see a new feed with Duncan Fisher mentioned in it....

#8 Robyn

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:12 PM

I hope to one day here your voice again in a Solaris Type match, with commentary :D

#9 HighlandWolf

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:14 PM

I have to say first thank you for the character of Duncan Fisher, he/you always made me enjoy my matches more when i played solaris(which was a lot). The anecdotes, the tales, the friendly banter..very entertaining, pity something like that couldnt be inputed into this game..would be great to hear Duncan coming over the comms..haha

thanks and thanks for reminding me of such a great character

#10 BertyBargo

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:15 PM

Someone here posted the MW4 Mercs DF outtakes on youtube and that's some golden material.

"HOLY mother of God: It's SPECTER!"
"You know, I think if you put Specter in a pair of pink pumps and a little bowler cap, he'd look really cute. What do you think, Solaris Fans??"

Anyhow.

DF does sound like a grizzled Solaris Jock from the decades of yore. On some commentary he talks about how he had bitter rivalries and about some of DF's own winning streaks. The fluff doesn't offer much for the imagination but then again I suppose that's the beauty of the character. Look at wrestling. How many great wrestlers went from being fighters, nevermind being world famous/owning a spot in the hall of fame, to sitting ringside and offering commentary. Think about it: Jerry Lawler, Jesse Ventura, even Booker T amongst others.

I think it's totally conceivable that DF is an entertainer dedicated to blowing crap up and flipping his loyalties topsy turvy just for the sake of drama, intrigue and C-Bills. I think he's a showman through and through. Maybe he became such a household name he could afford to retire from the action?

EDIT: Also Mr. Ledoux I never realized you did Minute Man's voice from Freedom Force! Mind: Blown. Once I looked it up, I can totally hear it. That game was so difficult.

Edited by BertyBargo, 30 July 2012 - 01:20 PM.


#11 BFett

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:18 PM

From recently playing the Solaris VII campaign I know Duncan made a name for himself in the medium circuit and preferred guns over speed. I'd guess that he was also a Faction player as he usually points out Steiner pilots. I also know he likes the Uziel as he has mentioned that a few times as well.

#12 Bludhawk

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:45 PM

Well, I'll take a shot at this one.

Duncan Nathaniel Fisher was born on the Lyran Commonwealth world of Mississauga. The son of a Colonel in the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces. Duncan spent most of his formative years following his father from post to post. His mother left the Fisher family soon after the birth of Duncan, unable to take the military lifestyle and not wanting the responsibility of caring for the young boy. His fascination with watching his father's unit led to a life-long obsession with Battlemechs. He collected figurines, information, and anything else he could to do with mechs. When he was 16, Duncan lost his father. The colonel led a charge fighting Marik forces during the War of '39, trying to break out of encirclement. Colonel Fisher did not survive. Duncan was left without any family, and his constant moves had taken many friends from him. In the end, he traveled from planet to planet, finding work as an industrialmech pilot. He found he could easily learn and control nearly any 'mech: From a mining mech to a lumberjack mech. While on a forresting job, he participated in a tournament. Many of the lumberjacks would bet on the mechs and their pilots to do a number of events, from log-throwing to obstacle courses. When Duncan came out on top most times, he caught the attention of a manager: Eliza Dupree. Eliza took Duncan with the promises of glory to Solaris. There, Duncan proved himself to be a great contender in the Solaris Games, but disliked the constant commercialism of the fights, and being controlled by his manager. After a sky-rocketting career, he decided to make a change and decided to help manage and announce Solaris matches himself to keep the focus, as he said it, "Where it really deserved, on the heroism and skill of the pilots that enter the arena each day."

#13 Z0MBIE Y0SHI

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:51 PM

View PostBludhawk, on 30 July 2012 - 01:45 PM, said:

Well, I'll take a shot at this one.

Duncan Nathaniel Fisher was born on the Lyran Commonwealth world of Mississauga. The son of a Colonel in the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces. Duncan spent most of his formative years following his father from post to post. His mother left the Fisher family soon after the birth of Duncan, unable to take the military lifestyle and not wanting the responsibility of caring for the young boy. His fascination with watching his father's unit led to a life-long obsession with Battlemechs. He collected figurines, information, and anything else he could to do with mechs. When he was 16, Duncan lost his father. The colonel led a charge fighting Marik forces during the War of '39, trying to break out of encirclement. Colonel Fisher did not survive. Duncan was left without any family, and his constant moves had taken many friends from him. In the end, he traveled from planet to planet, finding work as an industrialmech pilot. He found he could easily learn and control nearly any 'mech: From a mining mech to a lumberjack mech. While on a forresting job, he participated in a tournament. Many of the lumberjacks would bet on the mechs and their pilots to do a number of events, from log-throwing to obstacle courses. When Duncan came out on top most times, he caught the attention of a manager: Eliza Dupree. Eliza took Duncan with the promises of glory to Solaris. There, Duncan proved himself to be a great contender in the Solaris Games, but disliked the constant commercialism of the fights, and being controlled by his manager. After a sky-rocketting career, he decided to make a change and decided to help manage and announce Solaris matches himself to keep the focus, as he said it, "Where it really deserved, on the heroism and skill of the pilots that enter the arena each day."


Was that a fan fiction or is that the actual story behind Duncan?
I've been looking and I honestly don't think he exists in the lore until MW4 with nothing on his backstory.

#14 Bludhawk

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:53 PM

View PostZ0MBIE Y0SHI, on 30 July 2012 - 01:51 PM, said:


Was that a fan fiction or is that the actual story behind Duncan?
I've been looking and I honestly don't think he exists in the lore until MW4 with nothing on his backstory.


I just wrote that myself, hoping that someone might like it. If anyone else can elaborate on what I have, or just plain come up with something better, go ahead! :D

#15 Z0MBIE Y0SHI

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 02:08 PM

View PostBludhawk, on 30 July 2012 - 01:53 PM, said:


I just wrote that myself, hoping that someone might like it. If anyone else can elaborate on what I have, or just plain come up with something better, go ahead! :D


Looked great actually. I've always assumed he was involved in the clan wars. I vaguely remember him making a comment on clan tech and insulting anyone using them, so I'm guessing he has a past of fighting clanners

#16 Tyzh

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 02:29 PM

View PostGeorge Ledoux, on 30 July 2012 - 12:43 PM, said:

"Hello everybody, this is Duncan Fisher..."

Ok, now that you've read that in DF's voice let me state that I'm not sure if this is the best area to pose my question so forgive me if I'm mistaken...

As the actor who played Duncan Fisher in MW4: Mercenaries, I've always wondered about what his background and back story would be if it was written up and added to the official Canon. As it stands, Duncan was simply a character that was created by one of the game designers of MW4:Mercs and myself. The game designer, Ferret Beudoin gave me the words and I gave Duncan a voice. But... I've always wanted to know more about him.

I know he was a Solaris jock before becoming an announcer but who does he root for when the mics are off? Where did he come from? How did he get to be a "retired mech jock" when it seems that most mech pilots end their careers by getting killed?

There seems to be a lot of talent around here so I thought this would be a good place to ask.

Thanks for your time and any responses!


Hmmm... well, I always imagined him as someone not particularly tied to any given house. I that he said something about "some people come in planning not to shoot countrymen" or something like that. I think he went on to espouse admiration for the people who play Solaris for Solaris sake, not to make a House look good. Kinda gets me thinking that he was either a free-agent mech pilot or was pressured by his own country to play that way and resented it. I can't actually find the quote for that one, though.

"There's a real trend in recent years. I see more and more clan technology on the field. I always want to shake those guys and say "HEY! You remember who we fought a war with a few years back?" I admit it, I'm a purist. I like seeing the Atlas or the Highlander strut its stuff. But when you get some new-fangled Daishi or Masakari in the winners' circle, it really gets my goat. "

He's obviously a bit old-school. Doesn't like the clans, but it's hard to imagine someone in the IS that does. He may have been using "We" inclusively meaning he went and fought the clans. He also seems to object to what he sees as new technology mucking up the spirit of Solaris. That sort of thinking leads me to feel he may have continued with Solaris during the Clan Invasion. I think his issue is really with their tech leaking into the arena he knows and loves and changing the way the game plays. Not particularly concrete.

"Look at them go! Man I love this game. It has my favorite things! 'Mechs, big guns, and a whole lot of explosions. You know my wife sometimes looks at me strangely. "Duncan," she says "there's more to life than Solaris." Frankly, it's like she speaks another language. I mean, the words make sense individually, but put them together and it's complete nonsense. "

Ah, here has a mention of his wife. Number 1 reason for him to have retired without dying, honestly. Got a bit older and caved to pressure from his wife, who probably had (legitimate) worries about him dying. Also, the way he espouses his "Solaris is life" philosophy here points more towards him probably staying with Solaris during the Clan Invasion and not fighting himself.

"One of these days I'm gonna see if I can sneak back into the arena. Sure it's been ten years but I've still got what it takes. At least that's what every former Solaris jock tells themselves..."

He retired in about 3057. I don't know how long a Solaris jock's career is, but I wouldn't be surprised to find him there "now".

Those where the only insightful quotes I could find on iMDB, which was what came up on my quick google search. If I can find a full list of what he said, I can probably write a report on him for you. :D

#17 Stormwolf

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Posted 31 July 2012 - 06:39 AM

Hi George, loved your work in MW4: Mercs.

There are people who say that Duncan probably wasn't very good, but he's lived till retirement which means that he's atleast a above average pilot if not better. Plenty of people die at Solaris but Duncan has made it his home despite no longer being a star in the arena.

Duncan probably never fought against any Clan warriors in the invasion, but he was atleast active as a jock on Solaris During that time (the year is 3049 and he probably retired around 3057 like Tyzh pointed out). Times are bad on Solaris during the Clan invasion since people are seeing a unstoppable force smashing through the Inner Sphere defenses, so they don't bother to watch Solaris matches that much. The Clan invasion ends in 3052 after that bussiness should pick up again on Solaris (Thus give Duncan a good shot at making some more money). He probably sold his mech to get a few million C-Bills on his bank account, he isn't poor when you consider that he likely had some savings from his previous matches in addition to what he got for the mech.

There is a good chance that Duncan battled the Word of Blake during the occupation of Solaris. Maybe he did not fight them in a mech, but I can picture him getting everybody into the fight to push the Blakists of Solaris again. This happens in 3071, so 14 years after retirement.

--edit

Some more stuff I'd like to add.

I picture that Duncan would have been great when it comes to mech combat and showbiz but not so much the financial bit that comes with it. I would also imagine that his wife would handle that end while being the voice of reason and eventually got him to quit.

Also, I think that Duncan would secretly fight battles in a old worn down mechsimulator some old friend of his keeps around (nobody except for the friend would know about this). In the current timeframe he is still fighting in the arena and is probably in his prime, this is something of a contrast with what we see in MW4 where he longs for the good old days, hence a probable need to be a in mech again even if it is only simulated.

To fully understand Duncan Fisher you need to know what Solaris is about, it's more then just arena battles. There is ofcourse a certain criminal element present on Solaris, mobsters, drug dealers, assassins, smugglers, the Solaris Syndicate, etc. Plenty of gladiators had to throw fights where a lot of money was involved, nasty bussiness ensued when they didn't play along. I recon that Duncan Fisher would have had dealings with these sort of people in the past but has always tried to not get mixed up in their affairs.

Forget what I said about him not fighting the WoB earlier, I bet that he would have been one of the first in line to get a mech when the SHDL got those impounded mechs back. He would ofcourse put his wife on a transport when they evacuated the city.

Edited by Stormwolf, 31 July 2012 - 09:37 AM.


#18 George Ledoux

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Posted 31 July 2012 - 11:13 AM

These are some really great storylines, guys!
I really appreciate the input! :P

#19 Stormwolf

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Posted 31 July 2012 - 12:17 PM

View PostGeorge Ledoux, on 31 July 2012 - 11:13 AM, said:

These are some really great storylines, guys!
I really appreciate the input! :P


Happy you like this stuff, you brought this guy to life for us.
Duncan Fisher should be brought into the canon of the universe and maybe show up in a novel or two.

#20 Jack Gallows

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Posted 31 July 2012 - 07:53 PM

I'll have to think about this, it's a good question and that'd be fun to actually be able to work with the community, George, and PGI to make a spot in the Btech universe.

Might give a listen to DF's lines from the game then brainstorm from there, but my original picture of him was a guy who started off as a house pilot, but probably became a merc then got into solaris for the thrill and excitement of arena combat.

"I grew up watching Batman." lol

Edited by Jack Gallows, 31 July 2012 - 07:53 PM.






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