Friday’s news of Lance Reddick’s passing devastated me. It was impossible to write this work without crying. But I want to talk about his Reddick influence on the gaming community. With Reddick voicing Zavala in the Destiny series and Sylens in Horizon Zero Dawn, both Bungie and Guerrilla Games have released statements paying tribute to Reddick’s incredible work on the game.
Reddick was not only a great talent, he was also a passionate gamer. He loved Zavala, Destiny and Destiny 2 very much. I remember seeing him talking about Destiny on his Twitter. He remembers his smile when he sent video messages to community members to cheer them on and throw in casual crap.
I specifically remember watching a video showing Reddick grinding in Destiny, surrounded by dogs, and relaxing on the couch completely engrossed in the game. It was so familiar, so familiar, that it stuck with me. Just playing your favorite video game. Seeing the voice actor who brought him one of Destiny’s key characters play the game with sheer joy was something I never knew would connect so well.
The game allows so many people to find each other. On Xbox One she played Destiny with her high school best friend, but reunited through her love of the game. I’ve met some other good friends through Destiny. Whether it’s someone finding me on a Twitch stream or vice versa, or finding a friendly player in Destiny who wants to add you as a friend, we’ve connected.
Until you realize games are being promoted more often, watching esports tournaments air on ESPN, and more and more celebrities expressing how much they love playing certain games during their downtime. , never really understood how big the game had become.
It’s incredible how I went from “not trusting people on the internet” to making countless friends using it in my lifetime. I have been able to connect with so many people beyond my physical capabilities. I’ve made friends with people almost everywhere through the gaming world, including the UK, Australia, and Canada.
Gaming is a global community of people who share the same passion and a way for like-minded people to meet and form friendships.
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I never met my close friends in person, but I spent hours with them in games. These are people I trust, love, and care deeply about, and these friendships have grown outside of the game as well, and I talk to them every day and meet them at conventions and get-togethers when possible.
Not only did Reddick help bring the game to life that players loved, he also helped nurture the community, and the players themselves supported the community. He made us, the community, feel heard, loved and seen.
Maintaining friendships built through games is easier because the similar interests that bring people together bring them together.My relationship with Reddick was no exception. He made gamers feel accepted. He really cared about engaging with us and connecting with the community and his character Zavala and himself.
Reddick was still playing Destiny 2 on March 17, the night before he died. His Bungie account shows that he was active in his EDZ and shows how much he loves the game and the community. His wife, Stephanie Reddick, posted a tribute to him on Twitter, thanking the community by saying, “Lance loved you as much as he loved the game.”
It was heartwarming to see the community come together to support Reddick and give tributes not only in-game but elsewhere. Reddick touched many lives through his one interactive medium. I honestly think it’s beautiful. When Destiny launched in his 2014, Reddick won our hearts and support and paid it back in full. He really inspired the gaming community. His legacy and memory will never be forgotten as new friendships and connections are made through the game.
Stella is a Video Producer, Host and Editor at IGN. Her gameplay focus is competitive, her FPS games, and she has previously reviewed her Apex Legends, Hyper Scape, Halo Infinite Multiplayer, and her Battlefield 2042. Competitive She regularly hosts and screams Apex Legends and her Halo Infinite tournaments when she’s not streaming on her Twitch channel after work. out. You can follow her on Twitter @ParallaxStella.
