10 Video Game Characters That Were Created For The Most Shocking Reasons
6. Erik The Slayer Is A Skyrim NPC Made To Honor A Fan Who Passed Away
It's not uncommon for game studios to interact with their fans and even include some of the community content in their games. We've seen developers pay homage to their fanbase, with things like the Scooter Brothers video being referenced in Grand Theft Auto V, for example. However, the story of Erik the Slayer has to be one of the sweetest of this kind.
The Skyrim character was created by Bethesda after one of their longtime fans, Erik West, was invited to their studio for a tour. The tour was organized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as Erik was suffering from terminal cancer. His wish was to meet the creators behind his favorite games.
The people at Bethesda instantly bonded with Erik, and they decided to include him as a character in their upcoming title, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Erik unfortunately didn't get to play the game, passing away six months before its release. However, Bethesda immortalized him by creating Erik the Slayer. The nickname was a reference to West's internet alias, "Immok the Slayer".
The in-game Erik is one of the best companions in Skyrim. He's full of quips and has a special quest of his own about becoming an adventurer.