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  3. PC Gaming’s Mascot Squad—who makes the cut?

PC Gaming’s Mascot Squad—who makes the cut?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved PC Gaming
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  • A atomicpoet@lemmy.world

    Who are the mascots of PC gaming?

    I recently read a thread elsewhere that says one big reason for Nintendo’s enduring popularity is their use of mascots: Mario, Link, Kirby, and Samus. But I have to say, PC gaming has its own mascots too. And if you grew up on PC gaming, you know exactly who I’m talking about. To me, these are the most obvious PC gaming mascots:

    Sir Graham

    Sierra’s signature character. He’s the protagonist of King’s Quest, the game that pretty much “made” PC gaming. If you’ve ever typed “look at tree” only to die instantly, you know this guy.

    Guybrush Threepwood

    For a good long time, the Monkey Island series was the jewel of PC adventure games, and Guybrush was the poster child. For an entire generation of smart-alecks, Guybrush was what made pointing and clicking actually cool.

    Commander Keen

    PC’s answer to Mario, but with a football helmet and a pogo stick. If you played Keen, you knew that saving the galaxy could happen in between spelling homework and dinner. The alien menace never stood a chance.

    Duke Nukem

    Duke started out as just another run-and-gun guy, but Duke Nukem 3-D turned him into a legend. Those one-liners were the soundtrack of every ‘90s gaming session. If your parents ever walked in at the wrong time, you know exactly which line I mean.

    B.J. Blazkowicz

    Possibly the oldest mascot here, since Wolfenstein dates back to 1981. But it was Wolfenstein 3-D where B.J. got a face and a vendetta. He’s been fighting Nazis since before most of us knew what a floppy disk was.

    Jill of the Jungle

    Jill is the game that put Epic on the map. She was Epic’s answer to Commander Keen, and while the graphics weren’t exactly cutting edge, the level design made up for it. Plus, Jill could turn into a bird. That never gets old.

    Doomguy

    Probably the most recognizable of the bunch. When people think of PC gaming, Doomguy’s battered face at the bottom of the screen is what flashes in their mind. Doom is forever, and so is the guy with the shotgun.

    Gordon Freeman

    For a whole generation, Half-Life is PC gaming. Gordon Freeman in that orange hazard suit, holding his crowbar, is basically the Valve logo in human form. He never says a word and still manages to be iconic.

    Vault Boy

    You don’t actually play as Vault Boy, but he’s everywhere in Fallout. His little thumbs-up and cheesy grin follow you from the vault to the wasteland. With the TV series, he’s basically mainstream now. No mascot is more cheerful about the end of the world.

    Kerrigan

    The Zerg Queen of Blades herself. If you’re into Starcraft—and millions are—Kerrigan is the face you remember. Blizzard made her the ultimate badass, and she wears it well.

    Geralt of Rivia

    Geralt first found fame on PC. The original Witcher didn’t even get a console port, so for a while Geralt was our little secret. Now he’s everywhere, but if you played those early games, he still feels like a PC icon.

    Chell

    Portal’s silent protagonist. You only ever see her in reflections or through portals, but somehow she sticks in your memory anyway. If there’s ever a Hall of Fame for “quietly iconic,” Chell gets a spot.

    Faith Connors

    Maybe not as famous as some others here, but Faith deserves her place. Mirror’s Edge is the best first-person parkour you’ll ever play, and Faith’s red glove and city-leaping acrobatics are instantly memorable.

    Madeline

    Celeste is one of the greatest indie platformers ever made, and Madeline is what makes it work. She’s determined, stubborn, and endlessly relatable. I’ve never wanted to climb a mountain so much in my life.

    Goose

    The newest mascot, but maybe the most beloved. Untitled Goose Game turned one honking bird into the hero none of us expected but all of us needed. An awkward bird never looked so adorable.


    So there you have it: the PC gaming mascot hall of fame. They may not have a theme park, but let’s be honest, nobody’s ever wanted to watch Mario lock eyes with Doomguy at the breakfast table. The world just isn’t ready for that much star power in one room.

    G This user is from outside of this forum
    G This user is from outside of this forum
    gaylord_fartmaster@lemmy.world
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    I wonder what the most popular/recognizable video game character that has never appeared on a console is. Up until a year ago I would’ve thought SHODAN but it’s probably between MOBA or WoW characters at this point.

    A 1 Reply Last reply
    2
    • G gaylord_fartmaster@lemmy.world

      I wonder what the most popular/recognizable video game character that has never appeared on a console is. Up until a year ago I would’ve thought SHODAN but it’s probably between MOBA or WoW characters at this point.

      A This user is from outside of this forum
      A This user is from outside of this forum
      atomicpoet@lemmy.world
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      Reflecting my own biases here, but I’d say it’s either Jill of the Jungle or Jazz Jackrabbit.

      1 Reply Last reply
      1
      • A atomicpoet@lemmy.world

        Who are the mascots of PC gaming?

        I recently read a thread elsewhere that says one big reason for Nintendo’s enduring popularity is their use of mascots: Mario, Link, Kirby, and Samus. But I have to say, PC gaming has its own mascots too. And if you grew up on PC gaming, you know exactly who I’m talking about. To me, these are the most obvious PC gaming mascots:

        Sir Graham

        Sierra’s signature character. He’s the protagonist of King’s Quest, the game that pretty much “made” PC gaming. If you’ve ever typed “look at tree” only to die instantly, you know this guy.

        Guybrush Threepwood

        For a good long time, the Monkey Island series was the jewel of PC adventure games, and Guybrush was the poster child. For an entire generation of smart-alecks, Guybrush was what made pointing and clicking actually cool.

        Commander Keen

        PC’s answer to Mario, but with a football helmet and a pogo stick. If you played Keen, you knew that saving the galaxy could happen in between spelling homework and dinner. The alien menace never stood a chance.

        Duke Nukem

        Duke started out as just another run-and-gun guy, but Duke Nukem 3-D turned him into a legend. Those one-liners were the soundtrack of every ‘90s gaming session. If your parents ever walked in at the wrong time, you know exactly which line I mean.

        B.J. Blazkowicz

        Possibly the oldest mascot here, since Wolfenstein dates back to 1981. But it was Wolfenstein 3-D where B.J. got a face and a vendetta. He’s been fighting Nazis since before most of us knew what a floppy disk was.

        Jill of the Jungle

        Jill is the game that put Epic on the map. She was Epic’s answer to Commander Keen, and while the graphics weren’t exactly cutting edge, the level design made up for it. Plus, Jill could turn into a bird. That never gets old.

        Doomguy

        Probably the most recognizable of the bunch. When people think of PC gaming, Doomguy’s battered face at the bottom of the screen is what flashes in their mind. Doom is forever, and so is the guy with the shotgun.

        Gordon Freeman

        For a whole generation, Half-Life is PC gaming. Gordon Freeman in that orange hazard suit, holding his crowbar, is basically the Valve logo in human form. He never says a word and still manages to be iconic.

        Vault Boy

        You don’t actually play as Vault Boy, but he’s everywhere in Fallout. His little thumbs-up and cheesy grin follow you from the vault to the wasteland. With the TV series, he’s basically mainstream now. No mascot is more cheerful about the end of the world.

        Kerrigan

        The Zerg Queen of Blades herself. If you’re into Starcraft—and millions are—Kerrigan is the face you remember. Blizzard made her the ultimate badass, and she wears it well.

        Geralt of Rivia

        Geralt first found fame on PC. The original Witcher didn’t even get a console port, so for a while Geralt was our little secret. Now he’s everywhere, but if you played those early games, he still feels like a PC icon.

        Chell

        Portal’s silent protagonist. You only ever see her in reflections or through portals, but somehow she sticks in your memory anyway. If there’s ever a Hall of Fame for “quietly iconic,” Chell gets a spot.

        Faith Connors

        Maybe not as famous as some others here, but Faith deserves her place. Mirror’s Edge is the best first-person parkour you’ll ever play, and Faith’s red glove and city-leaping acrobatics are instantly memorable.

        Madeline

        Celeste is one of the greatest indie platformers ever made, and Madeline is what makes it work. She’s determined, stubborn, and endlessly relatable. I’ve never wanted to climb a mountain so much in my life.

        Goose

        The newest mascot, but maybe the most beloved. Untitled Goose Game turned one honking bird into the hero none of us expected but all of us needed. An awkward bird never looked so adorable.


        So there you have it: the PC gaming mascot hall of fame. They may not have a theme park, but let’s be honest, nobody’s ever wanted to watch Mario lock eyes with Doomguy at the breakfast table. The world just isn’t ready for that much star power in one room.

        alessandro@lemmy.caA This user is from outside of this forum
        alessandro@lemmy.caA This user is from outside of this forum
        alessandro@lemmy.ca
        wrote on last edited by alessandro@lemmy.ca
        #4

        All you have listed are IP, as Nintendo one; the issue is that Nintendo’s IP can be commercially produced for Nintendo’s hardware only. PC don’t have “company IP” (and that’s one of its strength, openness), even Commander Keen appeared on Gameboy Color.

        In order to keep with PC openness nature, I would suggest something that come from and to the community itself:

        Link Preview Image
        PC-Tan

        PC-Tan is a personified version of PC gaming from the internet comic series Console-Tan. PC-Tan obsesses over collecting other consoles games and becoming stronger and stronger. As such PC-Tan is one of the strongest characters in the verse. With such a large library of games, PC-Tan is rather...

        favicon

        VS Battles Wiki (vsbattles.fandom.com)

        Weaknesses: Often spaces out remembering old consoles that have passed on (e.g. Dreamcast, Super Nintendo), bursts into tears from these memories as well

        🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 K 1 Reply Last reply
        6
        • A atomicpoet@lemmy.world

          Who are the mascots of PC gaming?

          I recently read a thread elsewhere that says one big reason for Nintendo’s enduring popularity is their use of mascots: Mario, Link, Kirby, and Samus. But I have to say, PC gaming has its own mascots too. And if you grew up on PC gaming, you know exactly who I’m talking about. To me, these are the most obvious PC gaming mascots:

          Sir Graham

          Sierra’s signature character. He’s the protagonist of King’s Quest, the game that pretty much “made” PC gaming. If you’ve ever typed “look at tree” only to die instantly, you know this guy.

          Guybrush Threepwood

          For a good long time, the Monkey Island series was the jewel of PC adventure games, and Guybrush was the poster child. For an entire generation of smart-alecks, Guybrush was what made pointing and clicking actually cool.

          Commander Keen

          PC’s answer to Mario, but with a football helmet and a pogo stick. If you played Keen, you knew that saving the galaxy could happen in between spelling homework and dinner. The alien menace never stood a chance.

          Duke Nukem

          Duke started out as just another run-and-gun guy, but Duke Nukem 3-D turned him into a legend. Those one-liners were the soundtrack of every ‘90s gaming session. If your parents ever walked in at the wrong time, you know exactly which line I mean.

          B.J. Blazkowicz

          Possibly the oldest mascot here, since Wolfenstein dates back to 1981. But it was Wolfenstein 3-D where B.J. got a face and a vendetta. He’s been fighting Nazis since before most of us knew what a floppy disk was.

          Jill of the Jungle

          Jill is the game that put Epic on the map. She was Epic’s answer to Commander Keen, and while the graphics weren’t exactly cutting edge, the level design made up for it. Plus, Jill could turn into a bird. That never gets old.

          Doomguy

          Probably the most recognizable of the bunch. When people think of PC gaming, Doomguy’s battered face at the bottom of the screen is what flashes in their mind. Doom is forever, and so is the guy with the shotgun.

          Gordon Freeman

          For a whole generation, Half-Life is PC gaming. Gordon Freeman in that orange hazard suit, holding his crowbar, is basically the Valve logo in human form. He never says a word and still manages to be iconic.

          Vault Boy

          You don’t actually play as Vault Boy, but he’s everywhere in Fallout. His little thumbs-up and cheesy grin follow you from the vault to the wasteland. With the TV series, he’s basically mainstream now. No mascot is more cheerful about the end of the world.

          Kerrigan

          The Zerg Queen of Blades herself. If you’re into Starcraft—and millions are—Kerrigan is the face you remember. Blizzard made her the ultimate badass, and she wears it well.

          Geralt of Rivia

          Geralt first found fame on PC. The original Witcher didn’t even get a console port, so for a while Geralt was our little secret. Now he’s everywhere, but if you played those early games, he still feels like a PC icon.

          Chell

          Portal’s silent protagonist. You only ever see her in reflections or through portals, but somehow she sticks in your memory anyway. If there’s ever a Hall of Fame for “quietly iconic,” Chell gets a spot.

          Faith Connors

          Maybe not as famous as some others here, but Faith deserves her place. Mirror’s Edge is the best first-person parkour you’ll ever play, and Faith’s red glove and city-leaping acrobatics are instantly memorable.

          Madeline

          Celeste is one of the greatest indie platformers ever made, and Madeline is what makes it work. She’s determined, stubborn, and endlessly relatable. I’ve never wanted to climb a mountain so much in my life.

          Goose

          The newest mascot, but maybe the most beloved. Untitled Goose Game turned one honking bird into the hero none of us expected but all of us needed. An awkward bird never looked so adorable.


          So there you have it: the PC gaming mascot hall of fame. They may not have a theme park, but let’s be honest, nobody’s ever wanted to watch Mario lock eyes with Doomguy at the breakfast table. The world just isn’t ready for that much star power in one room.

          RayquetzalcoatlR This user is from outside of this forum
          RayquetzalcoatlR This user is from outside of this forum
          Rayquetzalcoatl
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          This reads like chatgpt

          A 1 Reply Last reply
          4
          • A atomicpoet@lemmy.world

            Who are the mascots of PC gaming?

            I recently read a thread elsewhere that says one big reason for Nintendo’s enduring popularity is their use of mascots: Mario, Link, Kirby, and Samus. But I have to say, PC gaming has its own mascots too. And if you grew up on PC gaming, you know exactly who I’m talking about. To me, these are the most obvious PC gaming mascots:

            Sir Graham

            Sierra’s signature character. He’s the protagonist of King’s Quest, the game that pretty much “made” PC gaming. If you’ve ever typed “look at tree” only to die instantly, you know this guy.

            Guybrush Threepwood

            For a good long time, the Monkey Island series was the jewel of PC adventure games, and Guybrush was the poster child. For an entire generation of smart-alecks, Guybrush was what made pointing and clicking actually cool.

            Commander Keen

            PC’s answer to Mario, but with a football helmet and a pogo stick. If you played Keen, you knew that saving the galaxy could happen in between spelling homework and dinner. The alien menace never stood a chance.

            Duke Nukem

            Duke started out as just another run-and-gun guy, but Duke Nukem 3-D turned him into a legend. Those one-liners were the soundtrack of every ‘90s gaming session. If your parents ever walked in at the wrong time, you know exactly which line I mean.

            B.J. Blazkowicz

            Possibly the oldest mascot here, since Wolfenstein dates back to 1981. But it was Wolfenstein 3-D where B.J. got a face and a vendetta. He’s been fighting Nazis since before most of us knew what a floppy disk was.

            Jill of the Jungle

            Jill is the game that put Epic on the map. She was Epic’s answer to Commander Keen, and while the graphics weren’t exactly cutting edge, the level design made up for it. Plus, Jill could turn into a bird. That never gets old.

            Doomguy

            Probably the most recognizable of the bunch. When people think of PC gaming, Doomguy’s battered face at the bottom of the screen is what flashes in their mind. Doom is forever, and so is the guy with the shotgun.

            Gordon Freeman

            For a whole generation, Half-Life is PC gaming. Gordon Freeman in that orange hazard suit, holding his crowbar, is basically the Valve logo in human form. He never says a word and still manages to be iconic.

            Vault Boy

            You don’t actually play as Vault Boy, but he’s everywhere in Fallout. His little thumbs-up and cheesy grin follow you from the vault to the wasteland. With the TV series, he’s basically mainstream now. No mascot is more cheerful about the end of the world.

            Kerrigan

            The Zerg Queen of Blades herself. If you’re into Starcraft—and millions are—Kerrigan is the face you remember. Blizzard made her the ultimate badass, and she wears it well.

            Geralt of Rivia

            Geralt first found fame on PC. The original Witcher didn’t even get a console port, so for a while Geralt was our little secret. Now he’s everywhere, but if you played those early games, he still feels like a PC icon.

            Chell

            Portal’s silent protagonist. You only ever see her in reflections or through portals, but somehow she sticks in your memory anyway. If there’s ever a Hall of Fame for “quietly iconic,” Chell gets a spot.

            Faith Connors

            Maybe not as famous as some others here, but Faith deserves her place. Mirror’s Edge is the best first-person parkour you’ll ever play, and Faith’s red glove and city-leaping acrobatics are instantly memorable.

            Madeline

            Celeste is one of the greatest indie platformers ever made, and Madeline is what makes it work. She’s determined, stubborn, and endlessly relatable. I’ve never wanted to climb a mountain so much in my life.

            Goose

            The newest mascot, but maybe the most beloved. Untitled Goose Game turned one honking bird into the hero none of us expected but all of us needed. An awkward bird never looked so adorable.


            So there you have it: the PC gaming mascot hall of fame. They may not have a theme park, but let’s be honest, nobody’s ever wanted to watch Mario lock eyes with Doomguy at the breakfast table. The world just isn’t ready for that much star power in one room.

            🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 K This user is from outside of this forum
            🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 K This user is from outside of this forum
            🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            The PC mascot is obviously either Clippy the Paperclip, Tux the Penguin, or Beastie the BSD daemon.

            1 Reply Last reply
            6
            • alessandro@lemmy.caA alessandro@lemmy.ca

              All you have listed are IP, as Nintendo one; the issue is that Nintendo’s IP can be commercially produced for Nintendo’s hardware only. PC don’t have “company IP” (and that’s one of its strength, openness), even Commander Keen appeared on Gameboy Color.

              In order to keep with PC openness nature, I would suggest something that come from and to the community itself:

              Link Preview Image
              PC-Tan

              PC-Tan is a personified version of PC gaming from the internet comic series Console-Tan. PC-Tan obsesses over collecting other consoles games and becoming stronger and stronger. As such PC-Tan is one of the strongest characters in the verse. With such a large library of games, PC-Tan is rather...

              favicon

              VS Battles Wiki (vsbattles.fandom.com)

              Weaknesses: Often spaces out remembering old consoles that have passed on (e.g. Dreamcast, Super Nintendo), bursts into tears from these memories as well

              🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 K This user is from outside of this forum
              🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 K This user is from outside of this forum
              🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮
              wrote on last edited by kolanaki@pawb.social
              #7

              FYI: Mario appeared on PC; not just on Nintendo’s hardware.

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • RayquetzalcoatlR Rayquetzalcoatl

                This reads like chatgpt

                A This user is from outside of this forum
                A This user is from outside of this forum
                atomicpoet@lemmy.world
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                I have a long posting history on the Fediverse. You are welcome to check out the rest of my posts.

                RayquetzalcoatlR 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • A atomicpoet@lemmy.world

                  I have a long posting history on the Fediverse. You are welcome to check out the rest of my posts.

                  RayquetzalcoatlR This user is from outside of this forum
                  RayquetzalcoatlR This user is from outside of this forum
                  Rayquetzalcoatl
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  Was this written by ChatGPT or not?

                  A 1 Reply Last reply
                  1
                  • RayquetzalcoatlR Rayquetzalcoatl

                    Was this written by ChatGPT or not?

                    A This user is from outside of this forum
                    A This user is from outside of this forum
                    atomicpoet@lemmy.world
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    Nope! And I can provide receipts—show you the original draft as well as revisions. I even made further edits to this post after submission.

                    But, to you, would receipts even matter?

                    Or is your purpose here simply to be a comment hall monitor?

                    (You’re probably going to tell me this comment is written by ChatGPT because it has em-dashes.)

                    RayquetzalcoatlR 1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • A atomicpoet@lemmy.world

                      Nope! And I can provide receipts—show you the original draft as well as revisions. I even made further edits to this post after submission.

                      But, to you, would receipts even matter?

                      Or is your purpose here simply to be a comment hall monitor?

                      (You’re probably going to tell me this comment is written by ChatGPT because it has em-dashes.)

                      RayquetzalcoatlR This user is from outside of this forum
                      RayquetzalcoatlR This user is from outside of this forum
                      Rayquetzalcoatl
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      What’s a hall monitor? Lol

                      I just don’t want to have more chatbot sludge on the internet. Glad you didn’t use ChatGPT 👍

                      It’s gotta be Gordon Freeman, anyway!

                      A 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • RayquetzalcoatlR Rayquetzalcoatl

                        What’s a hall monitor? Lol

                        I just don’t want to have more chatbot sludge on the internet. Glad you didn’t use ChatGPT 👍

                        It’s gotta be Gordon Freeman, anyway!

                        A This user is from outside of this forum
                        A This user is from outside of this forum
                        atomicpoet@lemmy.world
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        I get a lot of people who basically think any post with an em-dash is a sign of ChatGPT. I call ‘em hall monitors because they think em-dashes are a gotcha—but I’ve always used em-dashes, and I’m not stopping.

                        Why should I stop using perfectly good punctuation on account of LLMs?

                        RayquetzalcoatlR 1 Reply Last reply
                        1
                        • A atomicpoet@lemmy.world

                          I get a lot of people who basically think any post with an em-dash is a sign of ChatGPT. I call ‘em hall monitors because they think em-dashes are a gotcha—but I’ve always used em-dashes, and I’m not stopping.

                          Why should I stop using perfectly good punctuation on account of LLMs?

                          RayquetzalcoatlR This user is from outside of this forum
                          RayquetzalcoatlR This user is from outside of this forum
                          Rayquetzalcoatl
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          Not sure why you’re asking me 🤷‍♂️ does ChatGPT use em dashes a lot? Also what is a hall monitor?

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • A atomicpoet@lemmy.world

                            Who are the mascots of PC gaming?

                            I recently read a thread elsewhere that says one big reason for Nintendo’s enduring popularity is their use of mascots: Mario, Link, Kirby, and Samus. But I have to say, PC gaming has its own mascots too. And if you grew up on PC gaming, you know exactly who I’m talking about. To me, these are the most obvious PC gaming mascots:

                            Sir Graham

                            Sierra’s signature character. He’s the protagonist of King’s Quest, the game that pretty much “made” PC gaming. If you’ve ever typed “look at tree” only to die instantly, you know this guy.

                            Guybrush Threepwood

                            For a good long time, the Monkey Island series was the jewel of PC adventure games, and Guybrush was the poster child. For an entire generation of smart-alecks, Guybrush was what made pointing and clicking actually cool.

                            Commander Keen

                            PC’s answer to Mario, but with a football helmet and a pogo stick. If you played Keen, you knew that saving the galaxy could happen in between spelling homework and dinner. The alien menace never stood a chance.

                            Duke Nukem

                            Duke started out as just another run-and-gun guy, but Duke Nukem 3-D turned him into a legend. Those one-liners were the soundtrack of every ‘90s gaming session. If your parents ever walked in at the wrong time, you know exactly which line I mean.

                            B.J. Blazkowicz

                            Possibly the oldest mascot here, since Wolfenstein dates back to 1981. But it was Wolfenstein 3-D where B.J. got a face and a vendetta. He’s been fighting Nazis since before most of us knew what a floppy disk was.

                            Jill of the Jungle

                            Jill is the game that put Epic on the map. She was Epic’s answer to Commander Keen, and while the graphics weren’t exactly cutting edge, the level design made up for it. Plus, Jill could turn into a bird. That never gets old.

                            Doomguy

                            Probably the most recognizable of the bunch. When people think of PC gaming, Doomguy’s battered face at the bottom of the screen is what flashes in their mind. Doom is forever, and so is the guy with the shotgun.

                            Gordon Freeman

                            For a whole generation, Half-Life is PC gaming. Gordon Freeman in that orange hazard suit, holding his crowbar, is basically the Valve logo in human form. He never says a word and still manages to be iconic.

                            Vault Boy

                            You don’t actually play as Vault Boy, but he’s everywhere in Fallout. His little thumbs-up and cheesy grin follow you from the vault to the wasteland. With the TV series, he’s basically mainstream now. No mascot is more cheerful about the end of the world.

                            Kerrigan

                            The Zerg Queen of Blades herself. If you’re into Starcraft—and millions are—Kerrigan is the face you remember. Blizzard made her the ultimate badass, and she wears it well.

                            Geralt of Rivia

                            Geralt first found fame on PC. The original Witcher didn’t even get a console port, so for a while Geralt was our little secret. Now he’s everywhere, but if you played those early games, he still feels like a PC icon.

                            Chell

                            Portal’s silent protagonist. You only ever see her in reflections or through portals, but somehow she sticks in your memory anyway. If there’s ever a Hall of Fame for “quietly iconic,” Chell gets a spot.

                            Faith Connors

                            Maybe not as famous as some others here, but Faith deserves her place. Mirror’s Edge is the best first-person parkour you’ll ever play, and Faith’s red glove and city-leaping acrobatics are instantly memorable.

                            Madeline

                            Celeste is one of the greatest indie platformers ever made, and Madeline is what makes it work. She’s determined, stubborn, and endlessly relatable. I’ve never wanted to climb a mountain so much in my life.

                            Goose

                            The newest mascot, but maybe the most beloved. Untitled Goose Game turned one honking bird into the hero none of us expected but all of us needed. An awkward bird never looked so adorable.


                            So there you have it: the PC gaming mascot hall of fame. They may not have a theme park, but let’s be honest, nobody’s ever wanted to watch Mario lock eyes with Doomguy at the breakfast table. The world just isn’t ready for that much star power in one room.

                            neryk@sh.itjust.worksN This user is from outside of this forum
                            neryk@sh.itjust.worksN This user is from outside of this forum
                            neryk@sh.itjust.works
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #14

                            I would argue that a platform mascot has to stay exclusive (or near-exclusive to allow for some weird spinoffs). This would trim down your list significantly: no Doomguy, no Gordon, no Geralt…

                            In fact none of the big ones would make the cut. Maybe Jill of the Jungle (and Jazz Jackrabbit ?), but they do not have many games to their names. Note even the Elite iconic Cobra ship would fit the bill, as Elite Dangerous was released on consoles.

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                            • A atomicpoet@lemmy.world

                              Who are the mascots of PC gaming?

                              I recently read a thread elsewhere that says one big reason for Nintendo’s enduring popularity is their use of mascots: Mario, Link, Kirby, and Samus. But I have to say, PC gaming has its own mascots too. And if you grew up on PC gaming, you know exactly who I’m talking about. To me, these are the most obvious PC gaming mascots:

                              Sir Graham

                              Sierra’s signature character. He’s the protagonist of King’s Quest, the game that pretty much “made” PC gaming. If you’ve ever typed “look at tree” only to die instantly, you know this guy.

                              Guybrush Threepwood

                              For a good long time, the Monkey Island series was the jewel of PC adventure games, and Guybrush was the poster child. For an entire generation of smart-alecks, Guybrush was what made pointing and clicking actually cool.

                              Commander Keen

                              PC’s answer to Mario, but with a football helmet and a pogo stick. If you played Keen, you knew that saving the galaxy could happen in between spelling homework and dinner. The alien menace never stood a chance.

                              Duke Nukem

                              Duke started out as just another run-and-gun guy, but Duke Nukem 3-D turned him into a legend. Those one-liners were the soundtrack of every ‘90s gaming session. If your parents ever walked in at the wrong time, you know exactly which line I mean.

                              B.J. Blazkowicz

                              Possibly the oldest mascot here, since Wolfenstein dates back to 1981. But it was Wolfenstein 3-D where B.J. got a face and a vendetta. He’s been fighting Nazis since before most of us knew what a floppy disk was.

                              Jill of the Jungle

                              Jill is the game that put Epic on the map. She was Epic’s answer to Commander Keen, and while the graphics weren’t exactly cutting edge, the level design made up for it. Plus, Jill could turn into a bird. That never gets old.

                              Doomguy

                              Probably the most recognizable of the bunch. When people think of PC gaming, Doomguy’s battered face at the bottom of the screen is what flashes in their mind. Doom is forever, and so is the guy with the shotgun.

                              Gordon Freeman

                              For a whole generation, Half-Life is PC gaming. Gordon Freeman in that orange hazard suit, holding his crowbar, is basically the Valve logo in human form. He never says a word and still manages to be iconic.

                              Vault Boy

                              You don’t actually play as Vault Boy, but he’s everywhere in Fallout. His little thumbs-up and cheesy grin follow you from the vault to the wasteland. With the TV series, he’s basically mainstream now. No mascot is more cheerful about the end of the world.

                              Kerrigan

                              The Zerg Queen of Blades herself. If you’re into Starcraft—and millions are—Kerrigan is the face you remember. Blizzard made her the ultimate badass, and she wears it well.

                              Geralt of Rivia

                              Geralt first found fame on PC. The original Witcher didn’t even get a console port, so for a while Geralt was our little secret. Now he’s everywhere, but if you played those early games, he still feels like a PC icon.

                              Chell

                              Portal’s silent protagonist. You only ever see her in reflections or through portals, but somehow she sticks in your memory anyway. If there’s ever a Hall of Fame for “quietly iconic,” Chell gets a spot.

                              Faith Connors

                              Maybe not as famous as some others here, but Faith deserves her place. Mirror’s Edge is the best first-person parkour you’ll ever play, and Faith’s red glove and city-leaping acrobatics are instantly memorable.

                              Madeline

                              Celeste is one of the greatest indie platformers ever made, and Madeline is what makes it work. She’s determined, stubborn, and endlessly relatable. I’ve never wanted to climb a mountain so much in my life.

                              Goose

                              The newest mascot, but maybe the most beloved. Untitled Goose Game turned one honking bird into the hero none of us expected but all of us needed. An awkward bird never looked so adorable.


                              So there you have it: the PC gaming mascot hall of fame. They may not have a theme park, but let’s be honest, nobody’s ever wanted to watch Mario lock eyes with Doomguy at the breakfast table. The world just isn’t ready for that much star power in one room.

                              L This user is from outside of this forum
                              L This user is from outside of this forum
                              leave_it_blank@lemmy.world
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              The Dopefish. Many used it over the years, and most have at least seen it.

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