Recently Post Malone, Ariana Grande, Brie Larson and I'm sure there's a few more have talked about enjoying games or taking part of a collaboration with special events with Pokmeon/Nintendo.
I've noticed big mix reaction on comment section in articles and social media, I'm pretty much on the side of it doesn't really bother me.
If Nintendo/Pokémon Company are going into the movie, theme park etc side of thing, wouldn't it just be normal seeing xyz celebrity doing promotional stuff as of now?
I don't really care much about it but a lot of it seems disingenuous. Like Serena Williams' favourite game being Mario Tennis Aces? Isn't that too on the nose? I could be wrong, but I doubt she has ever played that game. It's not something that bothers me really, I just miss times when they had Robin Williams, who was an actual fan who loved the Zelda series and was incredibly passionate about it endorsing the games. The new ads feel kinda phoney
I don't mind seeing celebrities talking about/promoting games, it would be nice if they were all genuine about the games they talked about but I'd guess many of them are paid to do so. It doesn't really bother me though as if celebrities speaking about games helps get people more interested in the games then I think it can be a good thing.
When it comes to celebrities collaborating on making a game I'm generally not a fan, I'm sure some celebrities could collaborate on a game and do it justice (which would be easier to achieve if the celebrity genuinely liked the game they collaborated on) but for the most part I find that it can run the risk of ruining the game. This isn't actually a Nintendo game but its the best example I can think off: The Sims and Katy Perry. In all honesty I've never played the Sims 3 (but I have played the other Sims games) but I know it did have a 'stuff pack' called Katy Perry's Sweet Treats, most people that have played Sims games know that they often release additional stuff/expansion packs for the games that can be purchased to add extra content to the game and usually, while not always popular, the theme of these packs will fit nicely into the game. From what I've seen though the Katy Perry pack was very poor, the contents really didn't match the style of the game (a lot of it was very over the top) and it got heavily slated as people often wait months for a new pack to release and on this occasion it was a pack no-one seemed to really want or had asked for. I'm sure there are some people that did enjoy this pack but it has become pretty infamous for been one of the most hated packs in the whole Sims franchise and highlights the risk with celebrity collaborations; if it doesn't stay true to the game then all it will do is promote the celebrity and alienate the people that truly like the game.
It's really not for me, and I don't find it necessary at all.
With that said, I'm not opposed to it. Because, well...I don't need to hate something just because it isn't for me.
I will say, though...on the subject of Pokemon, I will be pretty upset if they don't announce some more actual Pokemon news soon. The weird concert tie-ins are all well and fine...but I want Pokemon TCG for Switch. I want remasters and eshop releases of classic games, etc. So far...all that we know we're getting is a new Pokemon Snap. Which is long overdue...but not really "enough" for such a large anniversary. Designer clothes, Happy Meals, and Katy Perry + Post Malone concerts are not really something I wanted. More video game and anime news would go a long way towards easing the complaints, I think.
Gaming is mainstream enough now that all the usual advertising tactics apply, including celebrities. Aside from that, they're people who have hobbies just like the rest of us. I'm not reading more into it than into the gaming habits of the average person with a social media account.
It's pretty funny that the lady doing the German ACNH commercials sorta looks like a real life AC character.
