10 Times Developers Trolled Their Own Players (And it Was Hilarious)

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The video game industry is now a huge business, with massive investments and pressure to make a lot of money. Because of this, it’s rare to see games created simply for enjoyment anymore.

I’m glad video games have become more sophisticated and offer more than just simple entertainment. However, it feels like we’ve swung too far in the other direction, and many games now feel empty and seem to just follow whatever’s popular instead of having their own unique personality.

Despite the common focus on what’s popular, some developers still create work with a unique personality. They go beyond typical corporate expectations, sometimes in small ways and sometimes with entire products, to deliver something truly distinctive.

There are definitely moments that make me laugh, either because something is genuinely funny or unexpectedly clever, like the ten examples of developers playfully teasing their players – and it’s all pretty hilarious – detailed in this list.

10. DmC: Devil May Cry

Dante Wearing a Wig

The reaction to the new look for Dante in DmC: Devil May Cry was incredibly negative, but it seems the developers at Ninja Theory saw that coming.

I was so hyped to see the demon hunter back in action at the start of the game! He was battling his classic rivals, and at one point, he actually landed headfirst wearing a white wig – it was a really cool throwback that briefly showed us what he used to look like. It was a fun little nod to the character’s history.

I just heard the character say, “Not in a million years” when he looked in the mirror, and it totally felt like the game devs were poking fun at all the players who complained about how different this new version of the main character was from the original. It’s like they’re saying, “Yeah, we changed him, deal with it!”

People might criticize the story’s dark tone or how Vergil was depicted, but Dante playfully mocking longtime fans was surprisingly perfect – it was so on-point it went from awkward to iconic.

9. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Fake Bench in Hunter’s March

It seems like developing Hollow Knight: Silksong was a really enjoyable process for Team Cherry. They’ve clearly had fun with it, taking their time and playfully teasing fans for years.

While the entire Bilewater questline being a three-hour joke is a notable example, I think the fake bench in Hunter’s March is more impressive because so many players were fooled by it.

I haven’t personally been caught in one of these traps – maybe I’m just quick on my feet, or I can spot them easily. But I’ve definitely enjoyed watching videos of others getting frustrated when they fall for the trick!

This seemingly small detail in Hollow Knight: Silksong wasn’t immediately deadly or hard to reach, but it still caused a surprising number of player deaths, so I felt it deserved mention.

8. The Wicher 3: The Wild Hunt

You Can’t Romance Yennefer and Triss

Role-playing games let you make choices and experience how those choices affect the story, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the very best at this.

It’s fascinating to see how different choices impact the story in The Witcher, but the game cleverly reminds you that some things are impossible – even with all the charming conversations you can have with Yennefer and Triss, you can’t romance them both at the same time.

CD Projekt RED cleverly predicted players would prioritize being with both love interests, and they used that desire against us. They led us to believe we could achieve this, only to surprise us with a funny scene of Geralt tied to a bed.

Trying to pursue a romance with both characters leads nowhere, which I appreciate. The game developer had the boldness to prevent players from simply seeking gratification, something many role-playing games avoid.

7. God of War: Ragnarök

Fake Death Against Thor

Santa Monica Studio, known for its high-budget, blockbuster games, consistently surprises players by deviating from typical game conventions. A perfect example of this is the opening sequence of God of War: Ragnarok.

The new game picks up right after the shocking ending of the last one, with Kratos and Thor immediately facing off in a battle. It looks like Kratos loses – the game makes it seem like he dies. But things aren’t always what they appear to be.

In God of War: Ragnarök, there’s a moment where it looks like you’ve failed a quick-time event and will have to restart a fight. But it’s actually a clever trick! Thor unexpectedly breaks the fourth wall, pulling you back into the battle before the loading screen fully appears – it was a genuinely surprising moment.

It was just a short moment in the game, but it’s something I’ll remember for a long time. I’ve rarely encountered a video game villain who taunted me so much, and then actually gave me another chance to fight – it was surprisingly fun!

6. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Guardian Ape’s Revival

It’s hard to believe a game like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, with its serious tone, could also be playfully challenging or even a little bit cheeky.

The game occasionally presents a tough challenge, but it’s fair – you won’t find enemies that cheat, frustrating level design, or confusing areas. It’s a consistently challenging experience, that is, until you face the Guardian Ape.

You initially believe you’ve beaten the boss after many tries, celebrating the victory animation. But your relief quickly turns to frustration when the boss unexpectedly gets back up for another round.

If you’re anything like me, your first win in this game probably left you with barely any health and feeling too exhausted to keep playing, leading you to start over. But despite the difficulty, the feeling of finally succeeding was amazing, and I appreciate that Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice allows for a moment of genuine triumph.

5. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

There Isn’t Permadeath

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a game expertly crafted to immerse you in the mind of its protagonist, Senua, and replicate the feeling of her grief and confusion. Everything about the game works together to achieve this deeply personal and disorienting experience.

The game is notoriously difficult, and right from the start, it warns you that dying means losing everything you’ve accomplished. This caused a lot of panic when it first came out, as players worried about having to begin the game all over again.

It turned out to be a hoax, but a simple two-line message hidden within the game’s opening text became one of the most famous and meaningful pranks ever pulled in video game history.

The criticism wasn’t just for the sake of it; the game’s interactive nature was cleverly used to build suspense and make players feel anxious even before starting the story. If that doesn’t show how unique and impactful Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is, then nothing will.

4. The Stanley Parable

Unachievable Achievement

When it comes to games that playfully acknowledge they are games, nothing beats The Stanley Parable. It’s famous for constantly surprising and joking with the player.

I have many examples to prove this, but my personal favorite is the “Unachievable Achievement.” It’s a trophy that’s always changing, which makes it incredibly difficult for players to earn – and it continues to puzzle collectors.

People have tried all sorts of things to make it happen – like leaving and re-entering a room, switching off their screens, or even changing the game’s code – but unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed method.

Even after all this time, people are still trying to figure out the game’s secrets, and occasionally Reddit gets excited when someone thinks they’ve solved it. It’s funny, and it just proves that deliberately messing with players is what The Stanley Parable does best.

3. Hades 2

Chronos Can Unpause Your Game

Video games can make you feel incredibly powerful or completely helpless, but those feelings aren’t real. When you stop playing – whether you turn off the console or just close your eyes – you regain control of a reality the game can’t touch, with the exception of games like Hades 2.

The follow-up to Supergiant Games’ acclaimed title puts you in a battle against time, personified by the challenging boss, Chronos. You’ll have to fight him repeatedly to master the encounter, and just when you think you’ve got him figured out, he’ll surprise you by suddenly resuming the game after a pause – a truly unexpected ability.

The first time it happened, I was both embarrassed and amazed, and a shiver went down my spine. I was so surprised that I didn’t even have a chance to react, and he immediately won.

The way the game emphasizes the protagonist’s ownership of their domain, combined with the acknowledgment that time is uncontrollable, is brilliantly written and creates a fantastic connection between the story and gameplay. This is just one more reason why Hades 2 is shaping up to be a standout title of 2025.

2. Dark Souls

The Pendant Does Nothing

Dark Souls is a role-playing game known for starting players with very little. However, the developers, FromSoftware, provide a Starting Gift to give you a small advantage as you begin your adventure in the world of Lordran.

You might find gifts like souls, bombs, keys, or rings. But the most intriguing option is a pendant described as having ‘no effect’ – it was so unusual, it caused quite a stir among players.

Despite Hidetaka Miyazaki revealing in 2012 that it was just a joke, countless players have spent years trying to discover a hidden purpose or special function for this mysterious item.

Given the complex and hidden nature of Dark Souls – for example, hiding a path to another world behind a painting unlocked by a doll found in a completely different location – players often disregarded Hidetaka Miyazaki’s hints and continued exploring on their own.

It’s amazing how long people are still discussing that pendant – it’s become the longest-running inside joke I can think of! It’s funny, but it also shows how deeply affected some Dark Souls players were by the game.

1. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Solid Snake Is Not The Protagonist

Even combining all the previous examples wouldn’t compare to the masterful trolling done by Hideo Kojima in the video game world. He pushed the boundaries of how developers playfully mock the industry’s focus on violence, creating something still shocking even now.

Following the huge success of Metal Gear Solid and its popular hero, Solid Snake, anticipation for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was enormous. Trailers and the game’s opening promised a truly groundbreaking experience, raising expectations to new heights.

The game used its demo, promotional materials, interviews, art, and cover art to create a misleading impression. Everything suggested it was a typical sequel, but it was actually a clever trick to introduce players to Raiden, a new hero whose journey reflects the players’ own experience.

Many in the community felt deeply betrayed, and this led to players abandoning the game or asking for their money back. Despite significant improvements in graphics, technology, and gameplay, the hurt feelings caused by Hideo Kojima’s actions overshadowed everything.

Over time, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty has become recognized as a truly exceptional and groundbreaking work, but it’s also famous for how brilliantly it misled players – more so than any other game.

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2025-11-11 21:42