From Pokémon Hype to Workplace Crisis: Layoffs and Accusations of Sexual Discrimination Shake Pokémon Go

Things are not looking good at Niantic, definitely. And they have brought it on themselves.

Just a few days ago, Niantic announced a sudden wave of layoffs, the cancellation of several games, and left ‘Pokémon Go’ as the sole branch the company could rely on to generate profits. Today, to add insult to injury, we have learned that a former employee has filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit against them. Things are not looking good for Niantic, without a doubt. And they have brought it upon themselves.

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Pokemon not

The lawsuit clearly explains that women, especially women of color, were not being paid equally for the same job positions as men within the company. In fact, it directly accuses Niantic of being a “boys’ club.” Let’s not deceive ourselves, this is more common than it seems in an industry that, morally, sometimes appears to be stuck in the era of eight-bit gaming.

In this case, the woman explains that (don’t be alarmed by the figures) she started earning $70,000 annually in February 2020, but eventually ended up with a salary of $84,000 when she realized that a male colleague with a lower rank was making more money despite having fewer responsibilities. As you can guess, this finding didn’t sit well with her.

To give you an idea: last year, while she was earning $105,000 per year, he, who was one level below her, was making $127,000. In other words, the difference was equivalent to a person’s salary in Spain. Even with a $10,000 annual increase in 2023, she was still below her male colleague. Furthermore, when Niantic was obligated (due to transparency laws) to disclose the pay range for people at her level, she was still $10,000 below the lowest price announced by the company itself.

And what happened when the women at Niantic raised their concerns to higher-ups? You can imagine: pure hostility. In fact, during that meeting, she was told that her job evaluations were being affected by discussing such matters in the workplace, which made her give up her attempt to address the issue. What a wonderful place to work, right? Almost as wonderful as Blizzard or Riot. The video game industry, the little clubhouse where many feel that women shouldn’t have a place. It’s 2023, and it’s about time things changed.

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Major Marvel Announcement: EA Teams Up for Triple A Game Starring Iconic Hero

His actor left us a few years ago and since then we mourn his loss. That’s why we were shocked to learn that Marvel is collaborating with EA…

Our surprise upon receiving an email from Electronic Arts delivering the news of the summer has been immense. Yes, as you may already suspect, there is a Black Panther game in the works.

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EA is developing what they call “an original third-person, single-player Black Panther game.” And that’s as much as we can reveal for now.

We still don’t have many more details, not even a screenshot, but the development is being handled by a new EA studio called Cliffhanger Games in collaboration with Marvel Games.

A new study… with a veteran

Cliffhanger is led by Kevin Stephens, who previously served as the head of the studio Monolith Productions, known for developing Shadow of Mordor.

“We are dedicated to delivering fans the ultimate and authentic Black Panther experience, giving them more control over their narrative than they have ever experienced in a story-driven video game,” said Stephens in the statement.

“Wakanda is a rich superhero sandbox, and our mission is to develop an epic world for players who love Black Panther and want to explore the world of Wakanda as much as we do,” he concludes.

These are all the details we have for now. The release date and platforms for the game are currently unknown. EA and Marvel announced a partnership last year to develop at least three more titles as part of an ongoing collaboration.

More Marvel games to come

The announcement of Black Panther is part of a relatively recent trend by Marvel’s parent company, Disney, which has been partnering with major studios and publishers to create games based on their biggest IPs.

For example, Insomniac is developing titles starring Marvel characters like Wolverine and Spider-Man. EA’s studio Motive is working on an Iron Man game, and Eidos Montreal is creating a Guardians of the Galaxy game.

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Assessing the Numbers: Is Final Fantasy XVI Underperforming in Sales and Player Reception?

There may not be less hype for the game, or it may not even have sold less than the previous one, but the drop in week two is harder to explain.

Getting the predictions right for this year’s hits and misses is purely a matter of luck. ‘Indiana Jones’ is a failure, ‘Barbie’ is a success, ‘Zelda’ is a smash hit, and… what about ‘Final Fantasy XVI’? What’s happening with it? In a 2023 filled with blockbusters in film, television, and video games, it seems to have fallen victim to the lack of hype. Specifically, a person can only be excited about a certain number of things throughout the months. Or perhaps we are mistaken, and it has secretly been a huge success? Let’s analyze it.

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Pure fantasy (final)

Since the beginning of time, ‘Final Fantasy’ sales have only gone up and up without limits. ‘Final Fantasy XV’ sold five million copies just on its release. Six years have passed since then, and the numbers are far from being as impressive now: in its first week, the sixteenth installment of the franchise had to settle for three million units. There are explanations, of course.

The first, the most obvious one: far fewer people have a PS5 compared to those who had a PS4. Additionally, ‘Final Fantasy XV’ was released simultaneously on Xbox One, and at that time digital sales (which are not accounted for) were much lower than they are now. And all of this is very true: it’s possible that there isn’t less hype for the game, or that it hasn’t even sold less than its predecessor, but the drop in the second week is harder to explain.

In Japan, the game sold 336,027 units in the first week, but for the second week, it dropped an incredible 88% to only 37,763 units, painting a rather bleak outlook for its future. It seems like everyone who wanted ‘Final Fantasy XVI’ has already purchased it, and now only residual sales remain. It’s not the only major country where it saw a decline from one week to another: in the UK, for example, it experienced a steep drop of 78% and was once again surpassed by ‘Tears of the Kingdom’, resulting in a double somersault with bruises.

The reception has not been as expected for a game in the franchise, partly due to its different gameplay style and partly because nothing on the screen resembles the ‘Final Fantasy’ we know. Perhaps with the price drop of the PS5, the fan base will grow and expand, but the future outlook for Square Enix doesn’t look promising. The question, at this point, is not whether there will be changes in ‘Final Fantasy XVII’, but rather… if there will be a ‘Final Fantasy XVII’ at all.

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Catch Zzz’s and Pokémon: Unveiling the Mechanics of Pokémon Sleep

‘Pokémon Sleep’, the mobile game that will help us catch creatures… while we take a nap.

There are so many Pokémon games with various iterations that catching them all has become an adventure in itself. From the toothbrushing game (‘Pokémon Smile’) to the one that encourages us to go for walks (‘Pokémon Go’), and of course, the classics, the franchise still has much to offer and many tips to share. And as evidence, we have ‘Pokémon Sleep’, the mobile game that will help us catch creatures… while taking a nap.

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Hazzzzzzzting with everyone!

In a nutshell, ‘Pokémon Sleep’ seems simple: you go to sleep, place your phone next to your pillow, and let it do the rest. If you sleep deeply and for many hours, you’ll catch many Pokémon in different sleep positions, but if you sleep less, not so much. And from here, the chaos begins because, of course, it couldn’t be just a fun curiosity.

Your sleep score will be multiplied by Snorlax’s “zzz points.” The more zzz power you have, the more Pokémon will appear, and Snorlax will grow bigger. The goal is no longer just to catch them all; it’s to catch them all in different sleep positions. And to make the game “more fun,” they will record you snoring, allowing you or your partner to say, “I told you so.” Well, they don’t explain this in the trailer, but it’s clearly an unintended side effect.

The problem is that you can’t just place the phone on the nightstand while offline. You have to keep it connected to power, online, with the screen on, face down, and placed on the pillow next to you. If you move too much, well, say goodbye to your phone. Who said being a Pokémon master didn’t come with risks?

For now, we only know that ‘Pokémon Sleep’ will be released this summer, without an exact date. After the Nintendo franchise teaches us how to brush our teeth, go for walks, and sleep, we can expect the next game to teach us healthy recipes, gym routines, how to behave less passive-aggressively on the internet, and how to feel motivated in the mornings. What religion couldn’t achieve (making us behave well), Pikachu will accomplish with a powerful Thunderbolt attack.

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Experience Breaking Bad Like Never Before: Unveiling the Trailer for the Hyper-Realistic Game

Being able to control Walter White in Albuquerque while controlling the Meta business on the streets is one of the dreams of every fan of the series…

Today’s news might sound familiar, as initially, there was speculation that Breaking Bad would make its way into GTA 6 as a crossover. However, we now know that it’s not the case. It turns out to be an incredible project by a modder to bring a video game featuring Walter White and Jesse Pinkman to life.

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With so many film and TV series adaptations into video games, it’s genuinely surprising that we haven’t seen a game based on Breaking Bad yet, the highest-rated series of the past decade.

While the series may not be the easiest to translate into a video game, an open-world game in the style of the Grand Theft Auto series would look incredible, especially if it were developed using Unreal Engine 5.

A project that could be real

A few days ago, YouTuber TeaserPlay shared a new video showcasing a fan-made concept for an open-world game based on the popular franchise.

In the video, they delve into the creation using Unreal Engine 5.2, highlighting the technology used, including Lumen, Nanite, and Metahuman, which allowed for the creation of the impressive model of Walter White showcased in the video.

Although the big development studios have yet to release games using Unreal Engine 5, smaller developers have already done an excellent job showcasing the capabilities of the latest version of Epic’s engine.

Indeed, it would be incredible to experience the adventures of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman in Albuquerque. In the style of GTA, the missions, story, and plot would be among the most captivating in the market.

However, it doesn’t seem like anyone is willing to undertake this endeavor, especially now that over 10 years have passed since the series ended and the hype for these characters has long subsided. We’ll have to accept that it’s a missed opportunity, my friends.

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No More Excuses! Discover How to Play GTA V for Free Today!

It is the best-selling game in history, but it does not mean that everyone has it. If you want to play it for free on your console or on your mobile, all you have to do is…

If you’re eagerly waiting for GTA 6 to be released so you can patrol the city streets, take on impossible missions, rob banks, or simply cruise from coast to coast in a borrowed luxury car, we have bad news for you.

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Yes, as you well know, the game hasn’t been released yet, and we’ll have to keep waiting for some more time. The economists at Take-Two say it won’t be until 2024. They’re probably not wrong.

However, for all of you who are freaking out, we have good news: you can play GTA V for free starting now on your Xbox or smartphone. You just need to be subscribed to Game Pass.

GTA V on Game Pass starting today

“When a young street hustler, a retired bank robber, and a terrifying psychopath get entangled with some of the most terrifying and unhinged elements of the criminal underworld, the United States government and the entertainment industry, they must carry out a series of dangerous heists to survive in a ruthless city where they can’t trust anyone, especially each other.”

For those who have never played, GTA V is one of the great video games of our time. It has sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and there are hardly any people left who haven’t tried it… although now is a good time for those few remaining to give it a go.

Xbox has announced today that GTA V is coming to its Game Pass service for all its consoles, which includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Additionally, it will also be available on Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing players to enjoy the game on their mobile devices.

As you already know, Xbox Game Pass is the most cost-effective service for gamers, offering access to over 300 games for less than 15 euros per month. It’s a constantly expanding platform that continues to grow. Without a doubt, it’s worth it.

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Hold Off on Buying a PS5: Incredible New Features Are on the Horizon

A PS5 Slim version with a removable disc drive? That seems according to the information that has been taken today from Microsoft’s trial with the FTC.

In summer, it’s common for there to be no news. We say common, not the norm, because the trial between Microsoft and the FTC is proving to be a wonderful source of information. As we have seen before.

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Sony will release a hardware revision of the PlayStation 5 Slim later this year, according to court documents from the trial between Microsoft and the FTC, which have revealed a lot of other information.

According to the document, which can be fully accessed here, it is expected that Sony will launch a Slim hardware revision of its current-generation console by the end of this year at the current price of the Digital Edition: $399.99.

In the next paragraph of the document, it also highlights how a Pro model is expected to be released in the future.

The information revealed in the document about a PlayStation 5 Slim hardware revision is not surprising, considering that Sony has always released slim revisions of its consoles since the days of the original PlayStation.

Since the new model is supposedly set to be released this year, it is likely that the Japanese company won’t take long to unveil its design and any features that differentiate it from the currently available models.

A cheap PS5 Slim… but without Blu-Ray player

According to the rumors, the standout feature of this supposed PlayStation 5 Slim model will be compatibility with a removable disc drive, which unfortunately won’t be compatible with the current models.

Microsoft’s prediction also includes a footnote stating that “Sony is also planning to release a portable version of PlayStation 5 later this year for under $300,” which is not entirely accurate, but here’s all the information available.

If Microsoft’s knowledge of Sony’s planned PlayStation hardware is accurate, it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen secrets revealed in the FTC case against Microsoft. Last week, a confidential document from Sony was not properly redacted, leading to the disclosure of details about the development cost of some of their games.

Regardless of what is currently being prepared, the upcoming months will be quite interesting in terms of new hardware, as Sony is also working on a new portable console focused on Remote Play, Project Q, which is also expected to be released before the end of the year.

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Reviving the Suffering: The Unforgettable Dark Souls Mod That Will Hook You All Over Again

Miyazaki’s game has never looked as well as before. Grinding Anor Londo is something we had never imagined, honestly.

This could be the most important thing of the year if you’re a fan of Dark Souls and enjoy experiments. If you’re a classic gamer, it’s best to move on to another news piece. For example, this one about Assassin’s Creed that is incredibly interesting.

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Can you imagine playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and grinding through the Firelink Shrine in Dark Souls? The interconnected world of Miyazaki’s role-playing game would seamlessly fit with the grind rails and half pipes of the American skateboarding game. This isn’t just our imagination; it’s a viral tweet.

The clip, affectionately titled “Dark Souls Pro Skater,” showcases everyone’s favorite character, Solaire of Astora, tearing through the Firelink Shrine in a mod for Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, transforming the dilapidated land of Lordran into a cool skateboarding zone.

While the mod may not allow you to do a 900 on the Bed of Chaos or an infinite grind in the Undead Burg as if it were the campus fountain level from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, it’s real.

We have Bloodborne Kart, so why can’t we have Dark Souls Pro Skater or Elden Ring Dirt Rally? I would pay good money to plow through those cursed Silver Knights with bows and arrows in Anor Londo, finally defeating them after years of torment.

Skateboarding has never been so much fun… or so deadly

Fans of the old-school Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater will also recognize the song in the clip as “Superman” by Goldfinger, which, along with their other song “Spokesman,” is a classic and a key memory for many of us who huddled around a PS1 during those times while the glow of the CRT kept us warm.

If you want to try it out for yourself, I have good news: both the Solaire character and the Firelink Shrine level are mods available for Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 on PC.

So, go ahead and purchase a copy online because it’s definitely worth it just to skate around the Firelink Shrine as Solaire. Once you’ve bought it, install the THUGPro mod, which includes a plethora of community-created levels.

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Guess Who’s in the Game? A Look at Unexpected Celebrity Cameos in Videogames

The world of video games makes a lot of money and has been with us for several decades. For this reason there are dozens of Hollywood actors who have crossed…

To all of us here, we enjoy spending our afternoons with a PlayStation/Xbox/Nintendo Switch controller in hand, on a comfortable couch, in front of a big screen. You’re also a gamer if you play on a PC with a monitor; there’s room for everyone here.

Throughout history, video games have intertwined with various forms of media. From literature to comics, movies to TV series, it’s a natural occurrence where transmedia storytelling is common and beneficial. Today, we bring you the definitive compilation of all those artists who lent their face, expressions, and voice to portray a fictional character in a world created through code and game engines. Let’s dive in!

Famous people you didn’t know appeared in videogames

Keanu Reeves in Cyberpunk 2077

This appearance is at the top of the list because it is the most famous of this decade. Above, you can watch the epic trailer released by CD Projekt Red to introduce the game, where you can clearly see the one and only Keanu Reeves.

Keanu Reeves portrays a rock musician and veteran named Johnny Silverhand in the Cyberpunk universe, who later exists as an “engram” where his personality and memories exist in holographic form.

The game’s protagonist, V, has the option to let Johnny Silverhand take over their body or remain as an engram. In any case, it’s a difficult decision to make.

For those who are unaware, in the upcoming DLC of the game, titled “Phantom Liberty,” Idris Elba will take on the lead role. Not content with just one A-list actor, it seems they needed two giants of the big screen.

Kristen Bell in Assassin’s Creed and Kingdom Hearts

Here we caught you, and don’t play smart. You didn’t know that Kristen Bell, one of the most prolific actresses in Hollywood in the last decade, also appeared in one of the most powerful video game franchises.

Kristen Bell is a popular actress with a multitude of award-winning roles. She portrayed Ellie Bishop in “Heroes,” the titular Veronica Mars in “Veronica Mars,” and Eleanor Shellstrop in “The Good Place.”

However, most of the audience, especially younger viewers, probably recognize Kristen Bell as the voice of Anna in Frozen. And breaking with Disney tradition, Bell also sang her own songs in the films.

As Frozen was so popular, Disney funded a lot of games starring its characters, and Bell portrayed Anna in all of them, including Kingdom Hearts 3.

At first glance, it may seem that Bell only takes on film roles in video games, but there is one well-known exception: Kristen Bell provided the voice for Lucy Stillman, an Animus operator and secret agent of the Assassin Order, in Assassin’s Creed and its sequels.

In the series, she plays a genetic memory researcher who was born into a historical order of assassins and uses a unique device that allows people to relive the memories of their ancestors.

Norman Reedus in Death Stranding

We all came to know Norman Reedus for his role in The Walking Dead. Back then, he was a young heartthrob who captured the hearts of millions of fans. Now, at the age of 54, he has an impressive video game under his belt.

Death Stranding is set in a post-apocalyptic United States where creatures threaten human life.

Norman Reedus portrays Sam, a porter tasked with reconnecting isolated communities across the country while taking care of an unborn fetus named Lou.

And since Kojima is a legend in the industry, he also managed to enlist his friends Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, and director Guillermo del Toro to appear in the video game.

Rami Malek in Until Dawn

From Mr. Robot to Bohemian Rhapsody, Rami Malek went on to become the protagonist of one of the most terrifying exclusives on PlayStation 4. When it comes to work, one can star in any video game necessary.

Rami Malek portrays Josh in the horror game Until Dawn. Josh invites eight friends to a cabin on Blackwood Mountain, where his sisters disappeared a year ago, and they end up trapped until dawn.

The game’s plot may be clichéd, but it becomes enjoyable to play… if you’re into horror. The game also features a stellar cast including Jordan Fisher, Hayden Panettiere, and Nichole Sakura.

So get ready for some scares, intense chases, and a few stabbings while watching Rami Malek deliver an impressive performance.

Jesse Williams in Detroit: Become Human

If you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, you’re well aware of Jesse Williams, one of the most handsome and amiable doctors on the show in its over 18 seasons: Dr. Jackson Avery.

Jesse portrays Markus, an android who is falsely accused of killing a renowned artist under his care and later leads a massive revolt against the mistreatment of androids by humans.

Clancy Brown (also known as Mr. Krabs in SpongeBob SquarePants) and Lance Henriksen also star in the game. Honestly, it’s wild from start to finish, and no two playthroughs are the same. I highly recommend you give it a try when you can.

Ashley Johnson in The Last of Us 1 & 2

Ashley Johnson may not be a widely recognized actress, but to be fair, she has appeared in several movies and TV shows. For example, she was in the series Blindspot and the film What Women Want.

Ashley Johnson portrays Ellie, a teenager immune to the mutated Cordyceps fungus infection that is turning people into “Infected.”

Her portrayal of Ellie was so exceptional that she won not just one but two BAFTA Games Awards for “Best Performer.” Undoubtedly, the actress’s performance is sublime and the reason why millions of players fell in love with Ellie and Joel’s story.

Kit Harington in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

“You know nothing, Jon Snow.” Or so they said to Kit Harington in the Game of Thrones series, where he portrayed one of the most important and beloved characters in the entire HBO series.

While he is most famous for his role in Game of Thrones, Kit Harington also voices Salen Kotch, the main antagonist in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, leading a force determined to take control of the solar system.

It’s one of the rare instances where we’ve seen the British actor play a villain, as his good-guy image often dominates his roles. This unexpected cameo as a video game protagonist is sure to surprise you.

Neil Patrick Harris in Saints Row & Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Neil Patrick Harris has appeared in more TV series, movies, and cartoons than we can count. That list also includes several video games.

Neil Patrick Harris rose to fame with the acclaimed series Doogie Howser, M.D., where he portrayed the child prodigy doctor. This role made him so famous that it was referenced in The Simpsons episode “Bart the Murderer,” where Harris played a fictionalized version of himself voicing a fictionalized version of Bart Simpson.

However, most audiences probably recognize Harris as the pop culture icon Barney Stinson from “How I Met Your Mother.”

Harris also has a number of voice acting roles under his belt, such as Music Meister in Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Dr. Blowhole in “The Penguins of Madagascar.” And yes, Harris has also made his mark in the world of video games.

His first role in a video game was as DJ Veteran Child in “Saints Row 2.” Harris’s next role was significantly larger, as he portrayed the main antagonist in “Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard,” Wallace “Wally” Wellesley.

However, Harris’s most significant role was undoubtedly that of Amazing Spider-Man in “Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions.”

Michael Fassbender in Fable 3

While many actors play a wide range of roles, others become typecast. Jason Statham, for example, often portrays tough and British characters.

Michael Fassbender is another example of an actor who takes on similar roles, as he tends to play villains even when he’s not on the screen live.

Fassbender has appeared in numerous TV shows and films. One of his early roles was as Burton Christenson in “Band of Brothers,” but his most significant role was the award-winning portrayal of Steve Jobs in the film “Steve Jobs.”

However, most audiences probably recognize Fassbender for his villainous characters, such as Magneto in “X-Men: First Class” and David in “Prometheus.”

Fassbender has portrayed two video game characters in his career, one of which wasn’t actually in a video game. In the live-action adaptation of “Assassin’s Creed,” Fassbender played Cal Lynch/Aguilar, a character created exclusively for the film and not directly connected to the video game franchise.

Fassbender’s only role in an actual video game belongs to the “villainous” King Logan in Fable 3. While Fassbender wasn’t the only celebrity in the game (Ben Kingsley voiced Sabine, and John Cleese voiced the butler Jasper), his portrayal was hardly recognizable in this role.

Mark Strong in Battlefield V & Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines

No one can predict the course his career will take. One day he’s a supporting actor in a soap opera, and the next he’s portraying some of the most famous heroes and villains in cinema history.

Mark Strong began his career in the British soap opera Eastenders. Although Strong started appearing in films several years later, it took nearly 30 years for him to receive true recognition.

His breakthrough role was Frank D’Amico in “Kick-Ass,” and from there he landed better roles. Since then, he has appeared in movies like “Shazam!” and “Kingsman.”

While Strong reprised his role as Frank D’Amico for the video game “Kick-Ass,” he has also portrayed several video game characters such as Silanus in “Total War: Rome II” and Stargordon in “The Artful Escape.”

Most gamers probably remember Strong for his strong connection to the Warhammer 40K universe. Strong portrayed Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn in “Eisenhorn: Xenos,” as well as Captain Titus in the cult classic “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine.”

Unfortunately, Strong will not be voicing Titus in Space Marine 2; he will be replaced by Clive Standen. Oh, and he also lends his voice to one of the prominent characters in Battlefield V, one of EA’s major releases in recent years.

Nathan Fillion in Halo & Destiny

“Firefly” not only marked the beginning of Alan Tudyk’s career but also endeared him to science fiction fans worldwide. However, he wasn’t the only actor blessed by what we’ll call the “Firefly effect.”

Nathan Fillion is a chameleon in acting who brings an adorable spark to every character he portrays. Two of his early recognizable roles were Johnny Donnelly in “Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place” and “the wrong Private Ryan” in “Saving Private Ryan.”

However, he didn’t achieve true fame (or win any awards) until he played Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds in “Firefly.” Since then, Fillion has portrayed countless characters.

Fillion has also portrayed many video game characters, and we’re not just talking about Nathan Drake in the excellent fan film of “Uncharted”.

His first role in a video game was Gao the Lesser in “Jade Empire”, quickly followed by Sergeant Reynolds in “Halo 3”. After those roles, Fillion found his place portraying the recurring character Edward Buck in the subsequent titles of the “Halo” series.

But most notably, Fillion took on the role of Cayde-6 in the “Destiny” franchise until the character’s untimely demise in the DLC “Forsaken,” where Nolan North voiced his final moments.

Sean Bean in Civilization 6 & The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Sometimes, a single line is enough for a character and their actor to become ingrained in the minds of the audience. This is especially true in the case of Sean Bean.

Anyone who has watched The Lord of the Rings or spent time on the internet will instantly recognize Bean as Boromir. However, Bean is much more than just saying, “One does not simply walk into Mordor,” although Bean loved filming Boromir’s death scene.

He won several awards for his role as Eddard “Ned” Stark in the first season of Game of Thrones, and Bean also portrayed Joseph Wilford in Snowpiercer and Ulrich in Black Death.

Unlike other actors from The Lord of the Rings, Bean did not reprise his role as Boromir in related video games, but he has a lot of experience in the world of video games.

His first role was that of Martin Septim in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which was followed by several voice-over works. Anyone who has played “Papa Sangre II,” “Kholat,” or “Civilization VI” should recognize Bean as the respective narrators in those games.

Fans of Hitman 2 and 3 should also identify Bean as Mark Faba, who undoubtedly met his demise at their hands countless times. And while not a character in a video game per se, Bean also provided the voice for King Regis Lucis Caelum in the movie “Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV.”

Martin Sheen in Mass Effect 2 & 3

Despite the enormous influence of celebrities, their roles in video games are usually few and far between. Even the cinematic titan Jack Black has only appeared in five video games.

However, a truly talented celebrity always leaves their mark on the few roles they have in video games.

Martin Sheen is one of the most renowned actors in the history of cinema. He has portrayed characters such as Captain Benjamin Willard in Apocalypse Now (one of his favorite roles, despite suffering a heart attack during filming) and the award-winning President Josiah Bartlet in The West Wing.

Although Sheen has been involved in hundreds of TV shows and movies, he only has two notable voice acting roles, one of which is Sly Sludge in “Captain Planet and the Planeteers.”

Sheen’s other notable role was his sole performance in a video game: The Illusive Man in Mass Effect 2 and 3. Many players agree that The Illusive Man is one of the best-acted villains in video games, and while much of it is attributed to the character’s dialogue and actions, Sheen brought them to life with his voice.

Without Martin Sheen, The Illusive Man would likely be just another footnote in the annals of video game villainy, rather than a distinctive mark.

Andy Serkis in Enslaved: Odyssey to the West & Heavenly Sword

Not all celebrities are famous for their on-screen performances. Many become famous for their work behind the scenes to create cinematic magic. In the era of CGI, few can match Andy Serkis.

Serkis has brought countless computer-generated characters to life, such as King Kong in Peter Jackson’s film “King Kong” and Caesar in the “Planet of the Apes” trilogy.

But Andy Serkis is more than just a master of motion capture. He portrayed Ulysses Klaue in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Black Panther,” and gained worldwide fame for his portrayal of Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” films.

While Serkis did not provide the voice in the infamous video game “The Lord of the Rings: Gollum,” he has considerable experience in the world of video games.

Of course, he voiced Gollum in the previous “Lord of the Rings” games, but Serkis also portrayed The Inquisitor in “Risen” and Guy Gisbourne in “Volume.”

However, Serkis’s most significant contributions to video games were his collaborations with Ninja Theory. He performed motion capture for “Enslaved: Odyssey to the West” and also co-wrote and co-directed “Heavenly Sword.”

More recently, Serkis portrayed Grandmaster Vardan Kai in “Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate.” As you can see, Andy is as much an actor in the world of video games as he is in films. We would even say that this case is the most intriguing on the list, as he transitioned from voice acting to performance and found success in both realms.

Before the Limelight: Exploring Álex de la Iglesia’s Pre-Fame Video Game Project with Santiago Segura

Álex de la Iglesia, who knew what he was doing, took a vacation in Marbella with his friends Santiago Segura and Álex Angulo and filmed ‘Marbella Vice’ there.

Sure, if we mention the words ‘Marbella Vice’, you might think of that ‘GTA Online’ server created by Ibai a couple of years ago. But the truth is, there’s a hidden history of video games that requires us to go much further back, when Álex de la Iglesia wasn’t even in his thirties, Santiago Segura hadn’t even thought of the name “Torrente,” and video games were very different from what they are today.

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Patrolling Marbella

You may remember FMV games, which were supposed to revolutionize everything back in the day: they consisted of video sequences in which you could play at certain moments (for example, shooting some coins or villains). Some did it well, like the classic ‘Dragon’s Lair.’ Others, not so much. In Spain, it was Picmatic, the company that ventured into this with ‘Los justicieros,’ a classic directed by Enrique Urbizu that even sold two hundred arcade machines to the United Kingdom. If you’ve played it, the word “Bullets!” surely came to mind.

With the success of the western genre, light-years away from ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (obviously), Picmatic decided it was time to commission the next game to a new director famous for his short film ‘Mirindas asesinas’ and who was about to shoot a film titled ‘Mutant Action.’ Álex de la Iglesia, who knew what he was doing, took a vacation in Marbella with his friends Santiago Segura and Álex Angulo, and there he filmed ‘Marbella Vice.’

Unlike ‘Los justicieros,’ Álex’s game did not have a computer version, and little remains of it. However, it is known that it cost 30 million pesetas (around 180,000 euros) and featured yacht escapes, forced entries into mafia houses, explosions, and various mischief. At the end of the game, Angulo would say from a speedboat, “See you in the next adventure, haha!” But there was never a next adventure.

The game was an absolute failure, but it provided enough money for the actors and director to finance their own projects. In the same year of its release, Segura won the Goya for Best Short Film with ‘Perturbado’ (from that era that now seems forgotten), and De la Iglesia began preparing his next project, a small film titled The Day of the Beast. We may probably never be able to see or play the complete ‘Marbella Vice’ because nobody has enough interest in preserving it. However, we should consider it as a piece of our audiovisual history. It’s not every day that you can see three Goya winners goofing around together, right?

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