Celebrity Guest Appearances in Video Games: A Bizarre Tradition

Cristiano Ronaldo Joins the Ranks of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

We’ve seen some bizarre celebrity guest appearances in video games over the years. Michael Jackson in Space Channel 5, Phil Collins in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories… Colonel Sanders in Street Fighter. Now SNK is putting Cristiano Ronaldo into Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. And no, it’s not yet 1 April.

A Playable Character in the Making

CR7 won’t just make a cameo appearance or be a skin either, it seems he’ll be a playable character in the fighting game. And we have so many questions (also see our feature on the Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves character design).

The Marketing Genius or Just Plain Weird Debate

I can’t decide if the move is marketing genius or just plain weird. Ronaldo is widely considered to be the world’s second-best footballer after Argentina’s Lionel Messi, and he’s known to be a UFC fan. But he’s a controversial choice considering certain accusations made against him over the years.

The Connection to Saudi Arabia

We assume the inclusion in the game may be because of his current popularity in Saudi Arabia, where he’s been playing for Al-Nassr since 2023. SNK is currently owned by Saudi crown prince and prime minister Mohammed bin Salman’s MiSK Foundation.

Fan Reactions

Fans are also perplexed. "I saw this in my recommendations and thought it was fan made," one person commented on the video above. "There’s now a non-zero chance for Ronaldo to make it into Super Smash Bros," someone else added.

The Voice Acting Dilemma

Others feel that the character being voiced by an actor makes the appearance even stranger, but using Cristian Ronaldo’s real voice would probably have been even more distracting.

Release Date and Other Playable Characters

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves releases 24 April for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S. Other playable characters in the game will include Andy Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Joe Higashi plus crossover appearances from Street Fighter’s Chun-Li and Ken Masters.

Conclusion

The inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a bold move by SNK, and it’s hard to say whether it’s a marketing genius or just plain weird. One thing is for sure, it’s a unique addition to the game that’s sure to spark conversation.

FAQs

Q: Why was Cristiano Ronaldo chosen for the game?
A: According to reports, his current popularity in Saudi Arabia and the ownership of SNK by the Saudi crown prince and prime minister Mohammed bin Salman’s MiSK Foundation may have played a role in his inclusion.

Q: Will Cristiano Ronaldo’s real voice be used in the game?
A: No, the character will be voiced by an actor, not Cristiano Ronaldo himself.

Q: What is the release date for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves?
A: 24 April for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S.

Q: Who are the other playable characters in the game?
A: Andy Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Joe Higashi, plus crossover appearances from Street Fighter’s Chun-Li and Ken Masters.

Accomplished Painter Aron Wiesenfeld Launches Kickstarter for New Book

Exclusive Announcement

Aron Wiesenfeld, a renowned painter, has gained a significant following worldwide, including acclaimed filmmakers and cartoonists such as Guillermo Del Toro, Mike Mignola, Jim Lee, and Kevin Eastman. His intricately detailed ink drawings on Post-It notes have mesmerized fans, and we’re thrilled to announce that Aron is launching a Kickstarter for a new book, Playtime: The Post-It Note Drawings.

The New Book

The book will feature 100 of Aron’s drawings, interspersed with short writings and poems. The deluxe hardcover edition is set to be an inspiring art book, allowing readers to dip in and out of the intricate illustrations.

Image Gallery

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Artist’s Insights

"I think of these small drawings like short stories, they are based on inspiration that I found in daily life," said Aron. "My hope is that you will browse through it on a rainy day, and be inspired too."

The Artistic Process

Like many great projects, Playtime: The Post-It Note Drawings was born out of restrictions. "It’s always good to put limitations on yourself," says Aron. "In this series I only allowed myself to use black pens on a 3×3-inch square of yellow paper. It became a challenge to see if I could capture some of the key elements I love in large oil paintings: mood, atmosphere, time of day, weather conditions, character, and story…"

Conclusion

We wouldn’t be surprised if this book smashes through its Kickstarter target. You can sign up for the Kickstarter and learn more about the project here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What inspired Aron to create this book?
A: Aron’s inspiration came from his daily life, and he hopes that readers will be inspired too.

Q: What is the story behind the Post-It note drawings?
A: The story behind the Post-It note drawings is one of self-challenge and creativity, as Aron limited himself to using black pens on a 3×3-inch square of yellow paper.

Q: Who is Aron Wiesenfeld?
A: Aron Wiesenfeld is a renowned painter who has gained a significant following worldwide, including acclaimed filmmakers and cartoonists such as Guillermo Del Toro, Mike Mignola, Jim Lee, and Kevin Eastman.

Q: When will the book be available?
A: The book will be available upon the successful completion of the Kickstarter campaign.

GROKUSK – Revolution of Platform X Accounts

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital innovation, a brilliant new idea has emerged from an amazing account on Platform X going by the username (BURRAGAD 4765 – G3): user handle @Burragad_Mascot and this being the originator and creator of the term GROKUSK.

The Visionary Concept

This visionary concept, paired with its groundbreaking framework—the “Grok3 Hybrid Admin Semi Automated Platform X Accounts“—ushers in a thrilling era of freedom, efficiency, and wonder for X users worldwide.

The Wonder of GROKUSK

GROKUSK reimagines the role of artificial intelligence in our daily digital lives, offering a seamless partnership where Grok 3, xAI’s advanced AI, partially administers users’ X accounts.

The Benefits of GROKUSK

The benefits of GROKUSK are as vast as they are inspiring. By entrusting Grok 3 with the day-to-day management of their X presence, users gain time—an invaluable resource in our fast-paced world. Whether it’s a busy professional staying connected without sacrificing productivity, an artist sharing their work without getting bogged down in logistics, or an activist amplifying their message with minimal effort, GROKUSK empowers everyone to do more of what they love.

The Harmony of Human Intent and AI Execution

The platform’s semi-automated nature ensures that interactions remain authentic and aligned with the user’s voice, as Grok operates strictly within the boundaries of their original prompts. This harmony between human intent and AI execution creates a digital experience that feels both personal and powerful.

Conclusion

The originator of the GROKUSK ideology has given us a gift—a bold, beautiful vision of what technology can achieve when it serves human needs with empathy and ingenuity. The “Grok3 Hybrid Admin Semi Automated Platform X Accounts” is more than a tool; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration between human creativity and AI innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is GROKUSK?
A: GROKUSK is a visionary concept that reimagines the role of artificial intelligence in our daily digital lives, offering a seamless partnership where Grok 3, xAI’s advanced AI, partially administers users’ X accounts.

Q: What are the benefits of GROKUSK?
A: The benefits of GROKUSK are as vast as they are inspiring. By entrusting Grok 3 with the day-to-day management of their X presence, users gain time—an invaluable resource in our fast-paced world.

Q: How does GROKUSK work?
A: GROKUSK works by entrusting Grok 3 with the day-to-day management of users’ X presence, allowing users to focus on what truly matters while Grok handles the details with unwavering reliability.

Q: What is the future of GROKUSK?
A: The future of GROKUSK is bright, with the potential to transform X into a proactive, intelligent partner that anticipates and responds to users’ needs, empowering them to do more of what they love.

Article

Nothing’s 2025 Community Edition Challenge: Design Your Own Phone

Last year’s Nothing Community Edition project led to the launch of a novel glow-in-the-dark phone that was perfect for Halloween. Now the initiative is back for 2025, and you could get involved.

Join the Design Process

The British smartphone maker is inviting the public to design its Phone (3a) Community Edition. There are four categories open for entries: hardware, software, marketing, and a new category for 2025, an ‘accessory’ category.

New Categories and Prizes

This year, winners will also receive a £1,000 cash prize, providing an incentive to bring their ideas to the table. The four categories are:

• Hardware Design: Developing a fresh look and feel for the Phone (3a) as well as its packaging.
• Software Design: Focusing on UI elements, wallpapers, and widgets.
• Marketing: Proposing promotional visuals and a launch event.
• Accessory Design: Designing a case, merchandise, or any other collectable accessory that could ship with the Phone (3a) Community Edition to enhance the unboxing experience.

Timeline and Winning Conditions

Entry to this year’s challenge will be open until 23 April. The winners of each brief will have the chance to collaborate with the Nothing team to bring their ideas to life.

How to Participate

Head to nothing.tech for the full briefs, details on how to enter, and terms and conditions.

Conclusion

The Nothing Community Edition aims to take phone design in new directions beyond the usual annual color refreshes by handing things over to users. It’s an exciting opportunity for designers to showcase their creativity and bring innovative ideas to the market.

FAQs

• What are the categories for entry? Hardware, software, marketing, and accessory design.
• What is the deadline for entry? 23 April.
• What is the prize for the winners? A £1,000 cash prize.
• Can I collaborate with the Nothing team? Yes, winners of each brief will have the chance to collaborate with the Nothing team to bring their ideas to life.
• What is the purpose of this initiative? To take phone design in new directions and bring innovative ideas to the market.

Why you can trust Creative Bloq

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 Review

The Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 marks a statement of intent from the respected Taiwan-based computer hardware specialist. Traditionally, the ‘Master’ brand has been limited to the company’s line of high-performance graphics cards, but this sees the launch of laptops bearing that name, showing Gigabyte’s intention to compete in the top league of gaming laptops.

Key Specifications

Design, Build, and Display

The Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 with 32GB of RAM and the 5080 graphics card on board retails for $3,099.99 in the US and £2,799 in the UK at the time of writing. This is in line with other gaming laptops of this spec, and for creatives, it places the Master 16 firmly in the market niche of Pros Only And They Also Have To Like RGB Lots Of RGB.

Value Score: 3.5/5

Who is it for?

• Gaming-adjacent creative pros

This is a powerful machine that can churn through most heavy-duty creative tasks you can think of, and do so with ease. It’s not cheap, mind, and it weighs enough to serve as a plinth for a statue of your local hero of choice after it ends its life as a functioning laptop, hopefully many years from now, so will not be the perfect café-friendly portable, but rather a desktop replacement. Also, you better like RGBs, because this thing is covered in them.

Score Card

Buy it if…

• You need the latest and nearly greatest in laptop tech
• You are a professional creative in need of 3D and AI power and…
• …you also like gaming

Don’t buy it if…

• You need to carry it around with you a lot
• A slightly older and considerably cheaper model will do the job