TITLE
Kim Kardashian: Hollywood has an unlikely, lasting place in gaming history
AUTHOR
Nicole Carpenter
PUBLICATION
Polygon
YEAR
2024
ARTICLE TYPE
Article
FROM THE ARTICLE
Kim Kardashian was already more than a household name in 2013. The Kardashian name (hers, specifically) was equivalent with “celebrity” — or “notoriety,” depending on who was saying it. But there was one more step toward international fame that she wasn’t so sure about: whether she wanted to become a video game character.Niccolo de Masi, the CEO of Glu Mobile at the time, first approached Kardashian in early 2013 with the idea of starring in a video game. Kardashian took several months to think through the idea. In their second meeting, de Masi showed Kardashian the game’s art — and that was it.
“Nothing grabbed or hooked her as much as seeing what she would look like as a real-life video game” character, he said. The concept he pitched was a good fit, too. The game that would become Kim Kardashian: Hollywood was all about giving players a chance to literally mimic Kardashian’s ascent to mega-fame. And it probably didn’t hurt that her new husband seemed just as fascinated by the idea. “As Kanye used to say to me, ‘Niccolo, my wife is a real-life video game character,’” de Masi said.
GAMES MENTIONED
Kim Kardashian: Hollywood
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Lián Amaris
Alanna Anderson
Ravi Aujla
Di Dan
Niccolo de Masi
Andrew den Hertog
Kim Kardashian
Josh Labelle
Donny Meloche
Aaron Tsang
Danny Zabbal