10 Video Game Villains You Didn’t Know Were Based on Real People

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Summary

  • Video game villains can be inspired by real people, like Bob Barbas in DmC: Devil May Cry, based on Bill O’Reilly.
  • Some everyday people, like Roger Guay from Tanner Electric Cooperative, inspired video game villains like Wallace Breen in Half-Life.
  • Characters like Khotun Khan in Ghost of Tsushima are based on historical figures like Kublai Khan, providing depth to the story.

There’s no denying the allure of a memorable villain in video games. With the extensive playtime gamers invest, they often develop a deep understanding of their adversaries. This is one of the strengths of the gaming medium – creating antagonists that are captivating as they are detestable.

Sometimes, villains are created entirely from new ideas, but others draw influence from actual individuals – be they historical figures, famous actors, or everyday people like those working in an electric company. Intriguingly, developers often subtly incorporate these familiar faces into their collections of adversaries. Admittedly, being portrayed as a villain might not be the most complimentary homage. However, imitation is said to be the purest form of flattery…isn’t it?

10. Wallace Breen (Half-Life 2)

Based On Roger Guay

It’s no secret that the Half-Life games are as iconic as they come. They took inspiration from numerous sources such as Stephen King novels, ’60s sci-fi shows, and even the progenitor of first-person shooters, Doom. Interestingly enough, one of the most unusual sources Valve drew character designs from was real life.

Instead of creating villains modeled after actors or historical figures, Valve decided to use ordinary individuals as inspiration. For instance, the cunning antagonist in Half-Life 2, Wallace Breen, bears a striking resemblance to Roger Guay, a director at Tanner Electric Cooperative located in North Bend, Washington. The reason behind Valve’s choice of Guay is not clear, but it’s certain that the approach was effective.

9. Bob Barbas (DmC: Devil May Cry)

Based On Bill O’Reilly

In terms of subtleness, the Devil May Cry series doesn’t really care for subtlety, instead adopting a devil-may-care approach. In the game DmC: Devil May Cry, the creators made a rather obvious criticism of Fox News through the Raptor News Network, a clear parody of the sensationalist news channel.

Is there a more suitable choice for leading this network than Bob Barbas, who bears an striking resemblance to Fox’s Bill O’Reilly in both personality and style (though Barbas is physically robust like a tank)? The most obvious clue is a deliberate reference to O’Reilly’s well-known “We’ll do it live!” outburst.

8. Ozzie Mandrill (Escape from Monkey Island)

Based On Rupert Murdoch

When it comes to Fox News and blatant satire, another character worth examining is Ozzie Mandrill from the game “Escape from Monkey Island.” As a wealthy Australian businessman (Ozzie = Aussie) aiming to purchase Melee Island and surrounding areas to push his own ideologies onto his new territory, there’s a striking resemblance to media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.

Back in the day, it’s clear that LucasArts was way ahead of the game, poking fun at Murdoch a full 18 years before Succession graced our screens on HBO. Yet, I must give credit where it’s due – Succession has managed to make its influences subtler and more intricate.

7. ​​Officer Frank Tenpenny (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas)

Based On Rafael Pérez

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas represents the zenith of games during the PS2 era. Its cast was impressive, boasting stars like Chris Penn, Charlie Murphy, David Cross, Ice-T, James Woods, and others. However, the most prominent figure in the game was Samuel L. Jackson.

It’s less common knowledge that the character of Officer Frank Tenpenny, as portrayed, was modeled after the real-life disgraced LAPD officer Rafael Pérez. In the 90s, Pérez found himself embroiled in one of LA’s most significant cases of corruption. His actions included shooting and framing an innocent man, along with stealing and reselling confiscated cocaine. Denzel Washington even drew inspiration from Pérez for his character Alonzo Harris in the movie Training Day.

6. Richter (Titanfall 2)

Based On Arnold Schwarzenegger

Without diving into Titanfall 2 right away, you’ll notice the resemblance later on. For those who have played, it packs a punch like a bazooka. One of the game’s antagonists, Richter, bears a striking resemblance to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the legendary action star and ex-governor of California.

If his deep Austrian accent and war-painted visage didn’t already hint at it, Richter also utters the phrase: “Make your way to the beacon, quickly!” However, one of the more obvious (or less subtle) allusions can be found in an achievement titled “See You at the Party,” which is earned when interacting with Richter.

5. Khotun Khan (Ghost of Tsushima)

Based On Kublai Khan

In the early stages of creating Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch initially considered incorporating real historical figures into their characters. Given that the game is set during the Mongol invasion of Japan in 1274, this approach seemed fitting. However, they eventually opted against it due to concerns about cultural sensitivity.

As a gamer, I can’t help but notice that the creators drew inspiration for the game’s primary antagonist, Khotun Khan, from someone who spearheaded an invasion during the same era in history. That someone was none other than Kublai Khan, the illustrious ruler of the Mongol Empire and grandson (often regarded as the most successful successor) of Genghis Khan.

4. Balrog (Street Fighter 2)

Based On Mike Tyson

In the world of Street Fighter, Balrog was initially introduced as one of the game’s bosses in Street Fighter II. For those who follow boxing or aren’t living in seclusion, it’s easy to see his inspiration: Mike Tyson. His fighting style and missing front tooth are clear references to the renowned boxer, making Balrog an overt tribute to this legendary figure.

In Japan, the character we know in the West as Balrog is called M. Bison, with “M” representing Mike. On the other hand, the man we call M. Bison in the West is actually named Vega in Japan. Interestingly, the character known as Vega in Japan is referred to as Balrog in Western regions. This name swap was done by Capcom during localization of the game for English-speaking markets to prevent issues with Mike Tyson. Isn’t it a bit perplexing?

3. Mr. House (Fallout: New Vegas)

Based On Walt Disney

In the Fallout series, known for its humorous alternate reality backdrop, it was only a matter of time before they poked fun at real-life figures in some way or another. One of the most daring instances of this is Mr. House, a character who appears to have been modeled after two prominent industrialists: Howard Hughes and Walt Disney.

Instead of delving into every detail, let’s concentrate on the Disney link. In the game New Vegas, the character Mr. House envisions the New Vegas Strip as a self-governing city-state, reminiscent of Disney’s initial plan for EPCOT before it transformed into a regular theme park. Furthermore, the intriguing tale about Walt Disney’s cryogenically preserved head is subtly woven into the game, though experiencing this chilling disclosure is more impactful when players uncover it independently.

2. Andrew Ryan (BioShock)

Based On Ayn Rand

In the initial BioShock game, Andrew Ryan’s influence looms as oppressively as the weight of Rapture’s submerged metropolis. To construct such a intricate and compelling antagonist, the game’s mastermind, Ken Levine, sought inspiration in several historical figures. However, among all, Ayn Rand emerges most notably.

Andrew Ryan and Ayn Rand’s ideologies might not be subtle, but the game presents a critique of her Objectivist philosophy. To put it simply, Objectivism strongly supports self-reliance and personal gain, suggesting that government should minimize interference to allow ambitious individuals to thrive – even if that means constructing an underwater city!

1. Doctor Eggman (Sonic The Hedgehog)

Based On Theodore Roosevelt

The infamous video game antagonist, Doctor Eggman, also known as Doctor Ivo Robotnik, is one of gaming’s most iconic bad guys. Although Jim Carrey’s portrayal in the “Sonic the Hedgehog” films has recently revitalized his fame, his initial design was modeled after none other than the former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, with a hint of walrus features added.

To clarify, this creation of Eggman by no means intended to undermine Teddy’s legacy at Sega. Originally, Eggman was conceived as a possible company symbol to compete with Nintendo’s Mario. However, Sonic’s surge in popularity left Sega with an unused character in Eggman. Consequently, they decided to make the most of this mustachioed scientist, and the story of his character unfolded over time.

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2025-03-23 07:05