Incidentally, does the name CaseOh ring any bells? He is a streamer well known for his wholesome memes regarding his size. The odd thing is that he has now become a phone case in an indie horror game—of all things!—called Face of Another. I understand if you found this hard to believe; it really does sound like one of those weird dreams that come from binging pizza, but I assure you, it is true.
The puzzling series of events started off when Dexerto shared a video showcasing the stunning silence CaseOh did after he found out he was… an in-game item. It turns out that Face of Another, an indie horror game, has a collectible phone case in which the face in the collectible is none other than CaseOh. His reaction is absolutely hilarious and equally confusing and manic, the way only witnessing your own face in some strange, horrifying context can make you feel. The incident is absolutely meta and absolutely impossible to believe.
“Face of Another” is the new horror game that people are talking about recently, and its marketing campaign is just as weird as its concept. Having a streamer’s face as an in-game phone case was something nobody expected—and the game developer’s decision to incorporate it officially is both genius and strange. How did this even begin? Something as quirky as this is the main reason for its buzz, but it also leads to the question: Is this the start of a new marketing strategy? To have streamers and celebrities become in-game items? Think about it: A ‘Health Pack’ with xQc’s face selling energy drinks. Absolutely ludicrous.
The responses to the tweet are starting to get out of hand. Someone replied as ray tio and conjured a theory that everyone’s in agreement with. He said, “@Dexerto Bros gotta be paying em to put him in these games”. And frankly, that is the only thing that is the most plausible. The game instantly gains exposure from a huge community while CaseOh becomes digital merchandise that everybody wants. Everyone wins, except probably the player who has to run around with his face on their back while escaping monsters.
Face of Another might become one of those indie horror hits that focuses on creepy atmosphere and a unique gimmick, so it’s so smart to use the streamer’s face—it will get the attention it deserves. Instead of being an ad, it’s a collaboration the internet will love. It simply fits internet culture.
Think about the other way round of those older sports games which had movie adverts. While those were dull, this is better as it is odd. This is interesting and personal. The game and reality are colliding in a delightful way. It’s not a simple hidden joke; it’s a feature people will undoubtedly remember.
And for CaseOh, this is a fantastic achievement. This type of recognition is far more impressive than having Twitch emotes. He is now truly part of a game’s world, and that is legacy recognition. Years from now, gamers would venture into this horror title and ask, “Is that the guy from the memes?”
What comes after this? Might this set off a chain of streamer features in games? Most likely. We had the Dr Disrespect appearance in Call of Duty, but this is on a whole new level. This is stranger, more absurd, and more rooted in internet culture. This is perfectly in tune with today’s culture, where everything is content, and there are zero boundaries to the level of strangeness.
It is evident the game devs are playing 4D chess. They’ve got a plan in mind. They tap into established large communities and give them a reason to check out and support their games. It’s effective, cheap, and smart. You’ve got to respect the hustle.
Thus, if you’re a fan of horror games or want to witness the bizarre, check out Face of Another. Do expect the familiar face lurking in the shadows. Maybe don’t play alone. Or play. Not your mom.
These are the facts, for better or for worse: the streamer has turned into a phone case. The internet is arguably the best and weirdest place, and I can’t help but feel grateful for this moment in history because we’re living through some insane times.
