A COMPANY in the region produced the audio content for two games released with this year's "must-have" Christmas present - the Xbox 360.

Outsource Media, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, supplies voice production services for computer games companies. It worked on Kameo: Elements of Power and Perfect Dark Zero, two of three games for the Xbox 360, made by Microsoft Game Studios.

Outsource was commissioned to do the work by Rare, the developer of both games.

Outsource is part of Game Republic, an independent trade alliance that supports, encourages and promotes video game development in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Outsource commercial director Dean Gregory said: "Working with Microsoft and Rare has been a fantastic experience.

"Both companies have been extremely generous in supporting our efforts during the lengthy process of bringing the best possible voice production to arguably the Xbox 360's two most anticipated launch titles.

"The buying public will be the best judge of how well we have done, of course, but we are confident that the hard work invested in getting the voice production spot-on will speak for itself."

Lee Schuneman, executive producer at Rare, said: "Outsource Media offered unrivalled access to a voice talent that rose above and beyond our expectations."

Outsource's previous successes include the voice production for three Bafta 2004-nominated titles, of which two were also shortlisted for the Bafta Sunday Times' Readers Award.

Earlier this year, the company produced the voices for a game based on hit film Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

Outsource's head office is in North Park Road, Harrogate, and it has recording studios in London and Sheffield.

A spokesman for the Game Republic said: "Far from just seating actors in a room and letting them loose on a script, voice production in video games is an exacting science - part technology, part artistry.

"Outsource Media's expertise manifests itself in several crucial areas - getting the right cast, producing crisp and entertaining dialogue, and directing the actors to ensure voices match all on-screen action."