Roll7 will be hoping for great things this month as they prepare to release OlliOlli World, a skateboarding game set in the fictional world of Radlandia. Published by Private Division, this quirky and vibrant action platformer is rich with characters, with a familiar face joining the pack: Danny Trejo will be making an appearance in OlliOlli World at launch.
The American actor has appeared in a multitude of projects over the years, appearing in films and shows including Breaking Bad, Grindhouse, and Machete. Trejo’s work across film, television, and games over the decades has made him a popular and recognizable figure, known for playing gritty characters, but also appearing in light-hearted projects like Spy Kids and Anchorman.
Trejo’s appearance in OlliOlli World was revealed in a Twitter post. The design uses the likeness of Trejo, complete with his iconic mustache, tied back hair, and tattoos. The announcement will help build excitement for the release of OlliOlli World this month, which is a major addition to the OlliOlli series. Previously, the games have been simpler, 2D affairs, but gameplay footage of OlliOlli World reveals this newest title is a major step up from what fans have seen before.
Gamers reacted positively to the news, describing Trejo’s appearance as “awesome” and unexpected. The actor also revealed further details about his cameo, explaining that his character will be hosting a side-quest in the game. Reports indicate that players will first need to find him in Radlandia, where they can then complete a side-quest to unlock a special cosmetic reward.
This won’t be Trejo’s first foray into the gaming world, having contributed his voice and likeliness to games since 2004, starting with Def Jam: Fight for NY. He played Umberto Robina, the leader of the Cuban gangs in the Grand Theft Auto series. He’s made appearances in Call of Duty: Black Ops, Far Cry 6, and also promoted Magic: The Gathering Arena in 2019. This latest appearance in OlliOlli World will be yet another game credit under Trejo’s belt, aptly described by developers as expanding the “Danny Trejo multiverse."
There have been a growing number of recent celebrity appearances in games, perhaps due to the increasing influence of the game industry. Keanu Reeves notably appeared in Cyberpunk 2077 as Johnny Silverhand, with his likeness realistically recreated for the character. A number of artists have appeared in Fortnite over the years, from Dwayne Johnson to Ariana Grande, including a notable performance by Travis Scott in 2020 which received critical acclaim. Certainly, while it isn’t a new idea to have celebrities play characters in games, it is interesting to see more celebrities appear as themselves in games. It will also be interesting to see if Trejo’s appearance is a one-off to celebrate the release of OlliOlli World, or if players can expect more cameos and characters in the game in the future.
OlliOlli World will be available from February 8 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S.
