10 Early Versions Of Iconic Video Game Characters You Won't Believe

6. Gordon Freeman Was Named 'Ivan The Space Biker'

Gordon Freeman is one of the most beloved video game characters of all time, which makes it even more surprising that he initially looked like a homeless man wearing a green H.E.V suit. The character model pictured on the right is €˜Ivan the Space Biker€™, the initial stand in for Gordon Freeman that Valve used while developing Half-Life back in the late nineties.

Though he would later become The Freeman, Ivan made it pretty far into development, so far in fact that the character file €˜doctor.mdl€™ can still be found in the game files. Unsurprisingly, Ivan the Space Biker, who was created by illustrator Chuck Jones, was dropped shortly after initial play-testing.

I guess something about his flat-top haircut and long unkempt beard just put people off. Go figure.