10 Iconic Video Game Characters Created By Fans

7. The 501st Legion - Star Wars: Battlefront

Akuma street fighter
Lucasarts

The 501st Legion was a Stormtrooper cosplay unit created by fans Albin Johnson and Tom Crews back in 1997, who celebrated Star Wars by dressing up primarily as Stormtroopers - but sometimes other characters - while hanging out and undertaking charity work. Today, the 501st counts more than 10,000 members across the globe.

The organisation became famous enough that George Lucas eventually decided to make the Stormtrooper squadron canon as elite soldiers operating under the Empire.

In 2005, the 501st Legion got their major coming-out party, not only appearing in Revenge of the Sith but also showing up in the game Star Wars: Battlefront II, with its campaign centred around the experiences of a 501st veteran.

Since then the unit has also appeared in The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, lending personality to a fleet which might otherwise seem totally anonymous.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.