Guillermo del Toro's Comic-Con appearance
The acclaimed filmmaker, whose works include Pan's Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, has long been open about his love for interactive media. At San Diego Comic-Con on July 30 at 10:15 AM, he took part in the IGN30 Icon Series, a program celebrating IGN's milestone anniversary. During the talk, del Toro shared that he plays the mobile puzzle game Angry Birds every single day—even while at the convention. The discussion also coincided with the 20th anniversary of his film Pan's Labyrinth.
Games that left an impression
Del Toro listed several other games that have made a significant impact on him, including:
- Death Stranding
- Shadow of the Colossus
- Bioshock
- Left 4 Dead
- Monument Valley
- Dead Cells
He remarked that
“Shadow of the Colossus prompted me to reflect on a host of intangible concepts,”and described Bioshock as
“a universe in which I could lose myself for centuries.”
Additionally, del Toro acted in Death Stranding, the title created by Hideo Kojima. He also voiced a mixed fascination with Dead Cells, saying: “Dead Cells really captivated me. But I absolutely despise the respawn mechanic. You only make it through around 35 levels before having to start over. You get quicker, but please—create a version without that revival feature for older gamers, for senior players. I'm available. Get in touch and send it to me, please. I'm begging you!”
In another sign of his active engagement with gaming culture, del Toro shared a repost in July of a sculpture depicting the Super Tyrant from the horror title Resident Evil 2.
Del Toro's Comic-Con appearance underscores the growing integration of the video game industry into the broader cultural landscape, as well as the influence that games exert on the creative work of major directors. His public request for a respawn-free version of Dead Cells highlights the need to consider diverse player demographics and make titles more accessible for all audiences—a signal that the ever‑evolving industry may want to heed.