Developers often sprinkle hidden surprises, inside jokes, or clever references into their games – but what are the best video game easter eggs in the world of voice acting?
These hidden gems, known as ‘easter eggs’, are delightful little discoveries for players eager to explore every nook and cranny of their favourite games. Similar to real-world Easter egg hunts, video game easter eggs are secret messages or features that have been purposefully developed in games for players to find.
From subtle pop culture nods to funny references to games or movies, video game easter eggs help add an extra layer of enjoyment. Whether this is a hidden room or a feature from a famous character or actor, discovering easter eggs is a beloved pastime for gamers.
So, let’s dive into some of our favourite voiceover video game easter eggs!
Overwatch Easter Eggs
Blizzard’s Overwatch is filled with voice line easter eggs, from Ana’s “Come with me if you want to live” line referencing Terminator to Cassidy’s voice actor Matthew Mercer’s cameo role as a bartender in the ‘Reunion’ animated short.
A quirky easter egg that we love involves Junkrat – the explosives-obsessed Aussie. In the hero selection screen, if you repeatedly click on Junkrat, he’ll eventually say, “Stop me if you’ve heard this one before!” It’s a playful nod to the character’s personality as a quirky Aussie who loves to crack jokes and make light of dangerous situations.
Another interesting Overwatch easter egg is Soldier:76’s voice line, “I’m not your father,” which is a subtle nod to the Star Wars franchise. The line also references the popular fan theory that Soldier is the father of hero Pharah, but this has never been confirmed in-game. This subtle voiceover easter egg adds a light layer of humour while also adding to fan speculations on the connections between the Overwatch heroes.
GTA 5 Easter Eggs
Grand Theft Auto V is probably the first game many players will think of when you say easter eggs – it is filled with them! But we’ve got a few GTA 5 voiceover easter eggs we particularly enjoy.
Character Wade Herbert, voiced by Matthew Maher, who also appeared in the TV show Breaking Bad as a drug addict named Kuby, references the popular show in-game. Wade mentions he once worked for a man named ‘Kenny’ and his friend ‘Jesse’.
During the GTA V campaign, during one of Michael’s therapy sessions, he mentions a “crazy guy” who thinks he’s in a video game, a reference to the player controlling him. This is a clever little snippet from Rockstar, tapping the fourth wall.
For San Andreas players, character OG Loc can be heard on the radio advertising his new album “Str8 from Tha Streetz”. OG Loc, also known as Jeffrey Cross, was a minor antagonist in GTA: San Andreas, who longed to become a professional rapper but lacked the talent to do so. His antics and many failed attempts at fame were a memorable part of the San Andreas storyline.
Call of Duty Easter Eggs
The Call of Duty franchise is filled with easter eggs, including in the iconic Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War’s zombies’ mode. In the ‘Die Maschine’ map, players can encounter not just waves of ravenous zombies and tapestries of horror cinema but a myriad of easter eggs throughout the map.
The line “They’re coming to get you, Barbara!” echoes through the corridors, which is a playful homage to the zombie mode’s roots from the 1968 horror classic Night of the Living Dead. In the original movie, the character Johnny taunts his sister by saying this, but the line takes on a more sinister and creepy tone in COD: Cold War.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III also features the voice of well-known actor Jeff Goldblum. In the ‘Shadows of Evil’ zombies mode map, Goldblum voices one of the playable characters named Nero Blackstone – a magician and illusionist from the 1940s. When players recognised the famous actor’s inclusion in the game, they were pleasantly surprised.
The Witcher Easter Eggs
For all the Witcher fans out there, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt includes some interesting video game easter eggs. During the quest ‘Contract: The Oxenfurt Drunk, ‘ players encounter Matthir, a character that constantly hums a tune similar to the jingle used by CD Projekt Red – the game’s developer.
The subtle nod is an excellent way to pay homage to the studio’s work and dedication while adding a touch of meta-humour for players who are fans of the developer’s work. It’s a charming detail that gives players extra appreciation for the game.
Conclusion
Video game easter eggs are delightful little surprises within your favourite games, and it gets all that much more satisfying when you have to work to find them. Hybrid casual games often incorporate easter eggs seamlessly into their gameplay, providing more delightfully unexpected surprises!
Want to learn more about the world of voice acting in gaming? Maybe you could even voice some video game easter eggs yourself!
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