Games Honoring Deceased Developers with Hidden Memorials

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Game developers often feel a strong connection to the games they create. It’s common for teams to honor colleagues who have passed away by including tributes within the games themselves. These hidden memorials, ranging from small details in the game world to memorable characters, are a lasting way to remember the creativity and dedication of those who loved making games, ensuring their contributions are never forgotten.

‘World of Warcraft’ (2004)

Blizzard Entertainment created a lasting tribute to illustrator Michel Koiter within the game’s Northern Barrens. Called the Shrine of the Fallen Warrior, it depicts a spirit healer tending to the body of an orc – a character Michel himself played while testing the game. This memorial, located on a mountaintop, quietly honors the artist who sadly passed away during the game’s early development.

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ (2017)

As a big fan of the game, I was really touched to hear how Monolith Productions honored Mike Forgey, one of their executive producers, after he passed away. They created a character called Forthog Orc-Slayer, and he’s amazing! He shows up unexpectedly during battles to literally save you from getting killed. Apparently, everyone at the studio nicknamed Mike ‘The Slayer’ because he was so good at fixing tough issues. And get this – Forthog fights with a guitar that blasts out heavy metal! It’s a really cool way to remember Mike and his love of music. It’s a lovely tribute, and I always feel a little extra happy when he shows up to help me out!

‘Horizon Forbidden West’ (2022)

Guerrilla Games included a peaceful memorial to their lead producer, Patrick Munnik, within the game on a hidden island. Players can discover a mat and small shrine where Aloy can sit and enjoy the natural sounds. A heartfelt message then appears on screen, honoring Patrick’s life and his work at the studio. This calm spot offers a quiet break from the dangerous robots found throughout the rest of the game world.

‘Destiny 2’ (2017)

To honor artist Matt Helsom of Vicarious Visions, Bungie added a special quest and area to the Mars location in the game. Players could discover a datapad within the BrayTech Futurescape detailing a Golden Age researcher named Matt Helsom. The text highlighted his positive attitude and creative talent, explaining how he helped build the game’s world. This served as a tribute to Helsom’s contributions and the strong working relationship between Bungie and Vicarious Visions.

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ (2017)

Nintendo paid tribute to their former president, Satoru Iwata, by including references to him in the game. A glowing, mythical creature called the Lord of the Mountain appears on Satori Mountain, overlooking a peaceful cherry blossom grove. Another character, Botrick, is designed to look a lot like Iwata. These additions are a heartfelt way to acknowledge Iwata’s significant impact on the game series and the world of gaming.

‘Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’ (2023)

Insomniac Games honored technical artist Craig Goodman with a mural in Central Park within the Spider-Man game. The artwork shows Goodman with Spider-Man and heartfelt messages. He contributed to popular games like the Ratchet & Clank series, and this colorful tribute lets players take a moment to remember a valued member of the game development team.

‘Terraria’ (2011)

Re-Logic showed their appreciation for long-time quality assurance tester Jason “Leinfors” Parker by adding special items to the game in his honor. Players can now discover “Leinfors’ Luxury Shampoo,” which gives their character a sparkling effect. Leinfors was a popular and active member of the game’s community, known for interacting with fans online. These items will keep his memory and playful spirit alive within the game.

‘Fallout 4’ (2015)

Bethesda honored concept artist Adam Adamowicz with tributes in the Nuka-World expansion and through content released via the Creation Club. Adamowicz’s distinct art style was key to the look and feel of both Fallout 3 and Skyrim. Players can discover artwork and graffiti inspired by his unique sketches within the game worlds. His work essentially shaped how the wasteland is visually presented today.

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ (2020)

CD Projekt Red paid tribute to visual futurist Syd Mead, a renowned concept artist who heavily influenced the look of their game, particularly through his work on films like Blade Runner. They honored him within the game’s columbarium – a resting place for the deceased – listing him as a “Creator of Worlds.” This location also serves as a memorial for other real people who inspired the game and the studio.

‘Diablo III’ (2012)

Blizzard Entertainment added Kanai’s Cube to the game to honor artist Kevin Kanai Griffith. This special item lets players unlock powerful abilities from legendary items and change the properties of their gear. As a further tribute, players can discover a secret event in the Ruins of Sescheron where a spirit representing King Kanai is seated on a throne. Because of this feature, players regularly mention Griffith’s name as they work to improve their characters’ equipment.

‘Elite Dangerous’ (2014)

Frontier Developments added a special marker to their game, the Artemis system, to commemorate Michael Brookes, a key figure in the game’s development. This ‘Brookes’ Point’ beacon is a lasting tribute on the game’s map, recognizing his significant contributions to the game’s story and overall design. Players throughout the game are visiting this location to honor his work as a central creator of the game’s universe.

‘Team Fortress 2’ (2007)

Valve added bronze statues of the Soldier character to some maps as a tribute to his voice actor, Rick May. Each statue includes a plaque with May’s birth and death dates, along with a special message. The statue depicts the Soldier perpetually saluting, and players who approach it will hear patriotic music. This addition provides a place for the community to remember and honor the actor who brought the character to life.

‘Sea of Thieves’ (2018)

Rare Studios created a complex Easter egg called the Legend of Glitterbeard as a tribute to their employee, James White. Unlocking a secret hideout requires eight players to work together and play music near a special tree. Inside, players will find a journal and a glow-in-the-dark beard that tells the tale of a generous pirate. This emphasis on teamwork was inspired by White’s friendly personality and his dedication to fostering collaboration.

‘Guild Wars 2’ (2012)

To celebrate composer Stan LePard’s important contributions to the music of Tyria, ArenaNet has placed a statue of a “Van Leopard” in Lion’s Arch. The statue playfully references his name and creative talent. Players can find it near the crafting stations, where the city’s music is most lively.

‘Star Wars Galaxies’ (2003)

Sony Online Entertainment created a lasting tribute to Jeff Freeman, a key game designer. This memorial, a fountain with a plaque, was built in the city of Theed on Naboo within the game. It became a popular spot for players to honor Freeman, who was instrumental in developing many of the game’s fundamental features. Though the game is no longer officially running, the memorial lives on both in the memories of players and on private servers.

‘Total War: Warhammer II’ (2017)

I was really touched to see Creative Assembly add Kevin von Lloydstein to the Vampire Counts! He’s a special hero created to honor Kevin Lloyd, one of their campaign map designers who sadly passed away while they were making the game. He’s incredibly powerful in battle, a true leader, and you can actually recruit him to command your undead armies. It’s a really nice way to remember Kevin and add some depth to the game.

‘Rainbow Six Siege’ (2015)

Ubisoft has added a memorial to the Plane map to honor Michael “KiXSTAr” Stockley, a popular professional player and commentator. The memorial is located in the cargo hold, the very spot where he made an incredible play during a tournament. KiXSTAr was a well-loved figure who played a big part in building the game’s competitive community, and the developers wanted to permanently recognize his talent and passion within the game.

‘Warframe’ (2013)

Digital Extremes honored a beloved community artist named Datareaper by adding a memorial to the Iron Wake settlement in their game. Datareaper was famous for creating the popular character Clem and designing the Kronen weapons. The memorial shows his favorite Warframe relaxing with those weapons, recognizing the important role community creations play in the game’s development.

‘CrossCode’ (2018)

Radical Fish Games paid tribute to their colleague, Stefan “Widdiful” Lange, by including him as a character in their game. Players will encounter Widdiful as someone who gives them quests, specifically asking them to find a certain item. The character’s lines and overall personality are meant to capture who Stefan was and acknowledge his contributions to the game’s creation, ensuring he remains a part of the project he helped build.

‘Overwatch’ (2016)

Blizzard honored a fan named Wu Hongyu by adding a tribute to him on the Lijiang Tower map. In the Control Center, an astronaut suit now displays his name and the message “Heroes Never Die.” Hongyu tragically passed away while bravely trying to stop a thief shortly before the game was released. The developers felt his selfless act perfectly represented the heroism the game aims to celebrate.

‘Borderlands 2’ (2012)

Gearbox Software honored a beloved fan who sadly passed away by creating a character named Michael Mamaril in their game. This character can be found in the game’s main city, Sanctuary, and rewards players with rare items when they chat with him. There’s even an achievement called “Tribute to a Vault Hunter” for finding him, ensuring Michael’s memory lives on within the game he was so excited to play.

‘MechWarrior Online’ (2013)

Piranha Games created a special version of the Jenner mech to celebrate a young player named Sarah Parries. Called “Sarah’s Jenner,” this unique mech raised money for cancer research with every sale. Though she wasn’t involved in making the game, Sarah’s love for it inspired the team to include her story within the game itself. The mech continues to represent the community’s heartwarming support for one of its members.

‘Minecraft’ (2011)

To honor the popular content creator Technoblade, who recently passed away, Mojang has added a tribute to the game’s launch screen. The message “Technoblade never dies” now appears, and the pig in the launch image has been updated to wear a crown, a reference to Technoblade’s signature look. He was a beloved figure who brought happiness to many players, and these small changes recognize his significant contribution to the Minecraft community.

‘Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare’ (2016)

Infinity Ward included a touching tribute to a former developer in their game, hiding teddy bears throughout the experience. Fans often point to a particular scene with a bear, staged like a crime scene, as a darkly humorous nod to the series’ history. The franchise has a history of using teddy bears as a way to honor developers or hint at hidden story details, making these hidden bears a kind of signature for the game’s creators.

‘League of Legends’ (2009)

Riot Games paid tribute to the late John “TotalBiscuit” Bain, a popular video game critic who greatly helped the game gain popularity, by renaming an in-game item to “Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will.” The item, which restores health and mana, represents the support TotalBiscuit provided to independent game developers. It’s still a frequently used item in player strategies.

‘StarCraft II’ (2010)

Blizzard Entertainment has added a new announcer pack to the game featuring the voice of Geoff “iNcontroL” Robinson, a beloved figure in the competitive gaming scene. Robinson was both a professional player and a popular commentator, and Blizzard made the pack available for free to keep his voice alive in the game he was so passionate about. His signature humor and energetic style will now be a permanent part of the gameplay experience.

‘Dying Light’ (2015)

I was so excited to see Techland put a mural in the game to honor George A. Romero! He wasn’t actually involved in making the game, but he’s basically the reason zombies are what they are today, and that’s a huge part of what makes this game so awesome. The mural shows a zombie with glasses holding a clapperboard, which is a really cool touch. It’s a perfect way to say thanks for everything he did – honestly, without his vision, this game probably wouldn’t even exist!

‘World of Warcraft’ (2004)

Blizzard Entertainment has added a new character, a Rogue Trainer named Reckful, to the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind. This is a tribute to Byron “Reckful” Bernstein, a highly skilled and beloved World of Warcraft player. He’ll remain permanently in the cathedral, a place where players often came to remember him, serving as a lasting memorial to his talent and the joy he brought to the community.

Please share your thoughts on these touching tributes in the comments.

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2026-01-27 16:18