Video game developer The Coalition officially announces the hip-hop supergroup known as Run the Jewels will join Gears of War 4's playable character roster.
As many gamers are more than likely aware at this point, Gears of War 4 has already received loads of positive reviews for the glut of options and solid gameplay on display within the third-person shooter's multiplayer and Horde modes, but it seems as if the title from The Coalition is about to get even more enjoyable. As it happens, the Gears of War 4 developer has now officially revealed that it will be adding the hip-hop artists El-P and Killer Mike of the hip-hop group Run the Jewels into the game.
While the prospect of playing as Gears of War 4 avatars with the rappers' likenesses should definitely appeal to the game's fan base, it's also important to note that not only did Run the Jewels lend their looks to character models, but also the artists recorded voice work. As described by the title's publisher, Microsoft, "The brotherhood that Killer Mike and El-P represent as Run the Jewels perfectly matches the soul of Gears, which at its core is about that brotherhood and never fighting alone."
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Fans of both Gears of War 4 and Run the Jewels would do well to check out the video above, as it features the rappers encountering their characters for the first time. Plus, the clip makes note of the 18 new weapon skins, emblems, and bounties that are available today as part of the Run the Jewels Air Drop DLC. The El-P and Killer Mike characters and items can be used in Gears of War 4's multiplayer and Horde 3.0 mode.
Aside from Run the Jewels being added into Gears of War 4, developers will also be incorporating the game's first post-launch DLC maps today, which include updated versions of Checkout and Drydock from Gears of War 3. Those who own the season pass are able to play these maps right now, while the rest of the game's community get them for free on November 8.
Of course, while Gears of War 4's inclusion of Run the Jewels in the title is undoubtedly a nice addition for fans of the shooter and the hip-hop duo, this is far from the first instance of pop culture icons making their way into the realm of video games. As a matter of fact, celebrity appearances in video games are becoming more common by the day, as there have been plenty of actors and musicians who have had their likenesses used for the medium. For instance, Kevin Spacey was a villain in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and Snoop Dogg could be unlocked as a playable character in True Crime: Streets of LA.
Taking all of this into consideration, some Gears of War 4 players may not be as excited as others to see El-P and Killer Mike become characters in the game for a variety of reasons. However, those fans would be hard-pressed to deny that this specific crossover event has the potential to not only promote Run the Jewels' material and upcoming tour, but also could incentivize more people to pick up Gears of War 4.
Gears of War 4 is available now for PC and Xbox One, and Run the Jewels' upcoming US tour begins on January 11, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Electric Factory.