Celebrities sell products. That’s why video games take advantage of famous faces to sell or promote their games, but that’s not the whole extent of celebrities’ involvement with the video game industry. Many celebrities extend their involvement beyond mere endorsements and appearances.
These celebrities have left a mark on the industry, from collaborating with game developers to lending their likenesses and voices to characters. We explore various celebrities who have ventured into the game industry, from actors like Elijah Wood and Norman Reedus to culinary icon Gordon Ramsay and pop sensation Selena Gomez. Their contributions showcase the evolving relationship between celebrity culture and the ever-expanding world of video games. This article covered celebrities who have delved deeper into the video game industry, going beyond playing games or starring in commercials.
Vin Diesel, Tigon Studios
Tigon Studios, a video game developer owned by One Race Films, focuses primarily on games featuring Vin Diesel, who also founded the company. After a period of suspension, Diesel reactivated the company in September 2013. The company’s logo features a tigon, reflecting its name.
Games developed by Tigon Studios include The Chronicles of Riddick, Wheelman, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, Riddick: The Merc Files, and Fast & Furious Crossroads. Additionally, Tigon Studios has a game in development called Barca B.C., which was initially conceived as an MMORPG but later transitioned into a third-person action real-time strategy game.
Elijah Wood, SpectreVision
SpectreVision, previously known as The Woodshed, is an American film production company established in 2010 by actor Elijah Wood and directors Daniel Noah and Josh C. Waller. Specializing in psychological thrillers and horror films, SpectreVision is genre-focused.
In 2017, at E3, SpectreVision disclosed a collaboration with video game developer Ubisoft for their debut video game endeavor, a virtual reality project named Transference.
Norman Reedus, Death Stranding
Death Stranding, released in 2019 for PlayStation 4, is an action game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game received praise for its voice acting, soundtrack, and visuals, though opinions on gameplay and story were mixed. It sold 5 million copies by July 2021 and drew comparisons to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sequel “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” is planned for PlayStation 5 in 2025, and a film adaptation is also in progress.
Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon in the renowned Walking Dead series, brings Sam Porter Bridges to life in the Death Stranding.
Keanu Reeves, Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure role-playing video game developed and published by CD Projekt RED. It was released on December 10, 2020. Announced during the 2012 CD Projekt Red Summer Conference, the game is based on Mike Pondsmith’s pen-and-paper RPG Cyberpunk 2020. An expansion for the game, named Phantom Liberty, was released on September 26, 2023.
Neo of the Matrix series, Keanu Reeves, the actor who brings the famous John Wick, portrays Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077 and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty.
Gordon Ramsay, Gordon Ramsay Chef Blast
Gordon Ramsay’s involvement in game industry goes beyond a single game. Ramsay’s gaming journey began in 2008 with Hell’s Kitchen: The Game, based on his popular TV show. While receiving mixed reviews, the game garnered attention for its unique premise and authentic representation of the show’s high-pressure environment.
In 2011, Gordon Ramsay Dash was launched. This fast-paced time management game tasked players with running a bustling restaurant under Ramsay’s watch, dodging disasters, and serving hungry customers within time limits. The addictive gameplay, combined with Ramsay’s recognizable voice and signature catchphrases, resonated with players, leading to millions of downloads and multiple sequels like Gordon Ramsay Dash: World Tour and Gordon Ramsay: Chef Blast.
Beyond his branded titles, Ramsay has made guest appearances in other games like Cooking Mama and Overcooked 2, further solidifying his presence in the gaming world.
Kevin Hart, Gold Ambush with Kevin Hart
Back in 2017, Kevin Hart launched a family-friendly mobile game titled Gold Ambush with Kevin Hart in collaboration with StandUp Digital. The game aimed to meld strategy with action, presenting players with the opportunity to immerse themselves in an adventure alongside Kevin Hart and his family, all of whom are playable characters within the game.
Yvonne Strahovski, Mass Effect Series
The legendary Mass Effect series is a parade of celebrities from Adam Baldwin to Seth Green; even Martin Sheen and Carry Anne Moss from the Matrix series lent their voices or complete likeness to the series. Today, Yvonne Strahovski may be more famous than back in the day, but she was known for her role in Chuck, a spy-comedy series starring Zachary Levi, who later starred in Shazam!
Selena Gomez, Selena Gomez Huge Dress Up
Back in 2020, Selena Gomez sued a mobile game developer for $10 million for stealing her likeness without her consent. Since the celebrity settled with the developer Clothes Forever, Styling Game has been removed from app stores. Still, another mobile game, Selena Gomez Huge Dress Up, was developed by Russian developer Sevelina Dress Up Games. Except for its release in 2014 and achievement of slightly more than 640,000 downloads, we couldn’t find further information about the game or the celebrity’s involvement. Considering that it uses her name and likeness and has been available since 2014, we couldn’t validate whether the game slipped under the radar or the celebrity was involved.
Kylie Jenner, Kendall and Kylie
Kendall & Kylie, a casual free-to-play role-playing game, debuted on iOS and Android in February 2016. Players aim to boost their fame and followers, progressing from the 100-follower club to the one million-follower club. The game was shut down on September 12, 2022. Gameplay involves attending events, vlogging, dating, and customizing appearances to gain followers. Energy is used for actions and refills over time, while in-game purchases allow for acquiring exclusive items like clothing and pets. The game was criticized for its resemblance to Kim Kardashian: Hollywood.
Kim Kardashian, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood
Kim Kardashian: Hollywood is a casual free-to-play role-playing game launched on iOS and Android on June 24, 2014. Players aim to elevate their fame and reputation, starting from the E-list and striving to reach the A-list. The game, led by American media personality Kim Kardashian, regularly features appearances from her character.
In the game, players work to enhance their reputation by garnering fans to attain A-list celebrity status. This involves booking modeling and acting jobs, making club appearances, and going on dates to attract more fans. Actions during these activities require energy, which is replenished over time while also earning money and experience points for the player. Achieving high ratings on jobs and dates leads to more fans and boosts in celebrity ranking. Though the game is free-to-play, in-game currency and “K-Stars” are available for purchase, allowing players to acquire clothing, accessories, or energy refills. However, watching a short video or advertisement can earn free K coins or energy.
Paris Hilton, Slivingland
Paris Hilton has made multiple attempts to enter the video game industry, dating way back to 2006. Back then, she launched a Java game called Diamond Quest. In 2023, Paris Hilton’s 11:11 Media launched Slivingland on Roblox, a metaverse experience aimed at her 70 million social media followers. Slivingland offers music, podcasts, TV shows, films, and brand collaborations, catering to Gen Z while bridging entertainment and brand engagement. Featuring a concert hosted by Hilton, Slivingland boasts activities like holograms, a nightclub, and community game nights. Partnering with brands like Hilton Hotels and Klarna, Slivingland represents Hilton’s commitment to innovative digital experiences and redefining brand-audience interaction in the metaverse.
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