The Big Bang Theory is one of the most successful sitcoms that captured the hearts of millions. Its success can be attributed to clever writing, humor, and characters that blend geek culture with everyday life. What’s interesting is the fact that the show also heavily referenced several video game franchises.
Throughout the entirety of the show, the main cast can be found playing various MMORPGs, FPSs, and even casual games. There’s no doubt that the show’s success played right into the hands of these AAA franchises and allowed them to become gaming giants that can still be enjoyed to their full glory.
Modern AAA Franchises Referenced in The Big Bang Theory
One of the memorable video game references in The Big Bang Theory is World of Warcraft (WoW.) Throughout the course of the series, Blizzard’s highly rated title was mentioned several times, and it was a game that brought the entire gang together. It’s been two decades since the release of WoW, and it still stands as one of the biggest games ever, truly standing the test of time.
Halo has been a generational success for Microsoft, so it’s no surprise that the franchise found its way into The Big Bang Theory. One of the games that the gang enjoys on a regular basis is Halo, as referenced in The Dumpling Paradox episode when Sheldon gets upset about Howard missing the so-called ‘Halo Night.’ It’s sad to see that the legendary game isn’t at the peak of its popularity anymore, but it’s still a AAA franchise that continues to lure in millions of gamers.
You’ll be shocked to know, but Rockstar Games’ legendary Red Dead Dead Redemption also finds a mention in the series. Although Sheldon barely plays the game in The Shiny Trinket Maneuver, he acknowledges the incredible open world crafted by Rockstar, just telling how much he considers games as part of his real world.
Of course, The Big Bang Theory also features the Assassin’s Creed series as well. In Tangible Affection Proof, Bernadette is furious that Howard is playing the Ubisoft game instead of doing the laundry like she had asked and hides his console. We can’t blame him, as the Assassins’ Creed franchise offers unmatched stealth gameplay that will keep you hooked for hours.
The Big Bang Theory cleverly managed to wove gaming culture to its humorful narrative, introducing audiences to some of the biggest AAA titles in the industry. Let’s hope modern TV shows can learn a thing or two from the iconic series and showcase the audiences’ love for gaming in all forms.
One AAA Franchise Mentioned in The Big Bang Theory is Facing Challenges
With Assassin’s Creed Shadows doing exactly what players have been asking for years and taking the series to Feudal Japan, you’d think that Ubisoft would be pushing the game to the next level. However, that hasn’t been the case, as the French publisher delayed the title.
Even though Shadows is a finished product, Ubisoft has decided to take the learnings from the issues of Star Wars Outlaws and believes the title needs more time to be refined and polished to match Ubisoft standards.
Not only has Ubisoft decided to delay the game, but it’s also refunding all the pre-orders. Although it’s not uncommon, it’s rare for a developer to issue refunds when delaying a game.
It will be interesting to see how Shadows ends up performing commercially now. Ubisoft has had quite a rough time recently, and the decision to delay its biggest AAA franchise doesn’t help either. Let’s cross our fingers and hope that Shadows doesn’t prove to be a flop.
With that said, have you found any other references to gaming culture in The Big Bang Theory? If so, let us know in the comments below.
