It used to be that if you saw a celebrity in a video game, they were just a pixelated version of themselves. Maybe they lent their voice to a character or did some motion capture for a sports title. But lately, things have shifted in a big way. We aren’t just looking at icons appearing in games anymore; we’re looking at icons who own the games. They’ve moved from the front of the box to the head of the boardroom.
Zedd and Paul George
You’d think a Grammy-winning DJ and an NBA superstar wouldn’t have much in common besides a tax bracket, but both Zedd and Paul George have poured serious capital into Mountaintop Studios. This isn’t just a “pay me to tweet this” situation. They’re backing a tactical first-person shooter that’s trying to go toe-to-toe with the big boys. Zedd is a known Valorant fanatic, and George has his own line of gaming shoes, but becoming a literal owner in a development house represents a massive leap from just being a fan. It makes you wonder: how much of their personal taste is actually influencing the gameplay?
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t stop at being the face of every other FIFA or EAFC cover. He’s put over $40 million into UFL, a free-to-play soccer game that markets itself on being “fair to play.” With the game finally hitting Windows PC after its console debut, the stakes are higher than ever. It’s a direct challenge to the giants that have dominated the pitch for decades. Ronaldo’s decision to invest that much skin in the game suggests he’s looking for a legacy that outlasts his time on the actual grass. He’s not just a brand ambassador; he’s a stakeholder in a project designed to disrupt an entire genre.
The Kardashians and Kris Jenner
Speaking of disruption, we have to talk about the Kardashians and Kris Jenner. For a decade, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood was the gold standard for celebrity mobile apps. It made hundreds of millions. But with that game officially shuttered, the family isn’t exactly exiting the tech world. They’ve basically written the playbook on how to turn fame into a digital economy.
Kim recently teamed up as a major “Icon Series” collaborator in Fortnite, complete with emotes that nod to her most viral reality TV moments. Kris Jenner’s fingerprints are all over these transitions, moving from simple licensing deals to complex equity stakes. They aren’t just selling a game; they’re selling a lifestyle through an interface. It’s a modern evolution of the way icons have always used personal branding to influence culture—much like the hidden lucky charms that made fashion history long before the first pixel was ever rendered.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal might be the busiest man in show business, but his early bet on NRG Esports was a masterclass in forecasting digital trends. He saw his kids watching people play games and realized that “engagement” was the new currency. He’s been a vocal part of the NRG family for years, helping bridge the gap between traditional sports fans and the exploding world of competitive gaming. It’s paid off, too—NRG just capped off a massive year with world championships in both Valorant and Rocket League. He’s less of a silent partner and more of a dynamic catalyst for growth.
MrBeast
Finally, we have MrBeast. Jimmy Donaldson is probably the ultimate example of this new breed. He’s moved beyond just “YouTube gaming” and into the realm of full-blown mogul. Between his massive Beast Games production on Amazon and his constant reinvestment into his own digital infrastructure, he’s creating an ecosystem where the line between content and the game itself is almost invisible. He’s even moving into mobile service and financial platforms under the Beast Industries banner. Is there anything this guy won’t try to own?
It’s a strange, exciting time to be a gamer. We’re watching our favorite stars trade their jerseys and microphones for investment portfolios. It makes the whole industry feel a bit more personal, or maybe just a bit more crowded.
What do you think? Are these celebrity-owned games actually going to be better, or is it all just a fancy way to get us to click “download”? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more deep dives into the world of celebrity tech!
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Sources:
- www.gamesbeat.com/mountaintop-studios-30m-funding-shoud-zedd/
- www.scopemagazine.in/cristiano-ronaldos-backing-and-the-launch-of-ufl-the-new-challenger-in-football-gaming/
- www.joburgetc.com/culture-craze/kim-kardashian-fortnite-reality-tv/
- www.grokipedia.com/page/NRG_Esports
- www.uniladtech.com/social-media/youtube/mrbeast-fans-invest-billion-dollar-empire-249119-20251205
