10 Iconic Video Game Characters Created By Fans
9. Ermac - Mortal Kombat
The creation of Mortal Kombat's secret fighter Ermac sure is a fascinating one, involving not only designer Ed Boon but also fans and even games journalists.
In the original 1992 Mortal Kombat, the game's diagnostics menu contained the message "ERMACS" - a contraction of "error macro" - and because this was written next to the name of secret character Reptile, fans began seeking out another hidden character called Ermac.
Though Midway removed the ERMACS message from later versions of the game, the legend of Ermac had already been widely whispered about by players the world over.
This only snowballed when Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine published a doctored screenshot of what was supposed to be Ermac - a red-tinted palette swap of Scorpion.
At this point players frantically attempted to figure out the means to unlock Ermac, some even inventing their own false sightings of him for kicks.
But it wasn't until the release of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 that Ed Boon finally included the character, making him accessible through a cheat code and resembling the red-tinted scorpion that fans and press alike believed him to be.
Ermac's design has changed considerably over the years, but the fact that he's remained a regular fixture in the series speaks volumes to the power of an enthusiastic fanbase.