In video games, most people are primarily concerned about how the core gameplay loop works. The story was initially a very small part of the overall experience, but now, things are different.
Games have been changing constantly over the years, and in this ever-evolving medium, introducing more detailed narratives has given birth to the need for better actors, who can get through the emotions of the characters they play. This has led to some exciting celebrity video game collaborations, where big Hollywood stars play important roles in these interactive experiences.
There are also some instances of celebrities advertising video games like Vin Diesel does for Ark games. Sometimes even those who are not playing any characters in these games are also part of their advertisements. Back in 2022, Ben Stiller, John Travolta and LeBron James starred in a commercial for God of War: Ragnarok.
Besides giving gamers an immersive experience, these collaborations ensure the games reach an even larger crowd. Several such upcoming celebrity video game collaborations are set to make waves in the community. From massive AAA action games to niche strategy titles, several big names are set to shower celeb cameos and collaborations on fans.
Here we have listed seven upcoming video game collaborations that every video game fan should look forward to.
7 biggest upcoming celebrity video game collaborations to look out for
Norman Reedus- ‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’
Release- 2025
Norman Reedus played the protagonist in Hideo Kojima’s 2019 sci-fi action masterpiece, Death Stranding. He played Sam Porter Bridges, a person tasked with delivering various packages from one city to another in the USA which has been pushed to a post-apocalyptic state by an event known as Death Stranding.
He will be playing the same character in Death Stranding 2, the sequel that was announced by Sony and Hideo Kojima in 2022. Just as with any other Kojima game, the story of this title is under wraps for now. We will have to wait and see what he unleashes on us this time around.
Sophia Lillis- ‘OD’
Release- TBA
Once again, Hideo Kojima is all set to bring us a game with an incredible cast, all the while he fulfils one of his oldest dreams — making a horror game. OD is set in a shared universe where gamers will be playing through the cloud and interacting with each other’s worlds. The talented IT star will be playing a crucial role in this upcoming title.
As of now, we only have a short teaser for this game, which was revealed during The Game Awards 2023. According to the teaser, actors Hunter Schafer and Udo Kier will also be playing crucial parts in this mysterious title.
Simu Liu- ‘Stormgate’
Release- 2025
After starring in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and several other big Hollywood productions, Simu Liu has turned his gaze towards video games. For his entry into this vibrant world of gaming, he has chosen a real-time strategy game called Stormgate.
This title is being developed by some ex-Blizzard developers, who had previously worked on games like Starcraft and Warcraft. Liu will be playing a character called Warz in this game. More details on the game and this character will be revealed at a later date.
Vin Diesel- ‘Ark 2’
Release- TBA
Vin Diesel, the man with an ever-growing “family”, is no stranger to video games. He has revealed previously that he loves playing Warcraft and Ark. Maybe that was the reason which made him join the developer studio of Ark 2 and snag a role in that game as its protagonist.
It seems the title is still far from release, but fans know what it’s all about, an open-world survival game where players punch dinosaurs and build elaborate structures to call home. Vin Diesel will play Santiago Da Costa, the protagonist of this upcoming title.
Jordan Peele- ‘OD’
Release- TBA
Jordan Peele, known for his groundbreaking horror films, has partnered with Hideo Kojima, not to star in but to write OD. He will be actively participating in this game’s development to deliver a scary experience for any gamer who dares to pick it up.
He announced his involvement back in 2023 during The Game Awards, alongside the game’s first teaser.
George Miller- ‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’
Release- TBA
Mastermind filmmaker of Mad Max: Fury Road and its prequel Furiosa, George Miller, is going to star in Death Stranding 2. His involvement in the title was revealed during the January 2024 State of Play event through a lengthy trailer.
While there are numerous other massive stars involved in this title, such as Elle Fanning and Léa Seydoux, the involvement of George Miller is more significant, given the fact that he is a revolutionary creator who takes pride in designing unusual worlds for his fans.
David Hayter- ‘Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater’
Release- TBA
A while ago, Konami announced a complete remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. They renamed it Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and they decided to bring back the fan-favourite voice of this character, David Hayter.
Previously, Hideo Kojima decided to shift from David Hayter and cast Kiefer Sutherland as the voice of Big Boss when he made Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain leading to a massive fan backlash. It would be exciting to hear the original voice of Snake once again when the remake releases, making it one of the most exciting upcoming celebrity video game collaborations.
(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Konami, Kojima Productions, The Game Awards, Studio Wildcard, Frost Giant Studios)
