Many writers and game designers seem to think that, when creating FPS games for mass-market, a silent main character is the best way to involve a player within the game's narrative and universe. While I find some academic truth in that, most of the time this tactic proves itself wrong when, plainly, the main character never says anything, especially when people actually talk to him. A good example of this situation is Gordon Freeman. At this point, Gordon has gone through two main adventures, and two episodic ones. And since 1998, he hasn't said one word. Why?