Fans of Dispatch might have noticed a familiar vibe in the character Malevola, reminiscent of the early 1990s supermodel era. Unbeknownst to many, this is exactly the look the creators were aiming for.
Adhoc Studio’s art director, Derek Stratton, shared insights on how a famous Pepsi advertisement from the ’90s featuring supermodel Cindy Crawford inspired the “sexy demon lady” character, brought to life by former host Alanah Pearce.
A Blast from the Past: The Cindy Crawford Influence
The 1992 Pepsi commercial is iconic, with Cindy Crawford appearing in a white tank top and denim shorts, opening a can of Pepsi next to her red Lamborghini, while two young boys watched in awe. This commercial left an indelible mark on pop culture and heavily influenced Malevola’s look.
Stratton elaborated, “Malevola, she’s the ‘sexy demon lady.’ There was a commercial — it was a Pepsi commercial. Out comes Cindy Crawford in a white bodysuit and cut-off jean shorts, and high heels — everybody lost their mind. And that’s what Malevola was based off of.”
The Perfect Blend: Crawford Meets Modern Influencer
Yet, Crawford wasn’t the only inspiration. Malevola’s physique was inspired by influencer LeanBeefPatty. Stratton noted, “She is Cindy Crawford from that commercial meets that sort of, like, hot rod demon lady, and the body type of LeanBeefPatty, who is an influencer who’s ripped.”
A fan humorously commented on the combination, “Bro combined Karlach, Patty and Cindy Crawford, and didn’t give us an option to romance her?” followed by a crying emoji.
A Unique Gaming Experience
From the creative minds at AdHoc Studio, founded by former Telltale Games developers, Dispatch is a superhero workplace comedy where player choices have significant impact. Players must manage a team of misfit heroes, juggling office politics, personal dynamics, and the journey toward heroism.
The game features a blend of Hollywood and gaming industry stars, including Aaron Paul, Laura Bailey, Jeffrey Wright, Erin Yvette, Jacksepticeye, and more.
The game has been well-received, scoring a 9/10 in reviews, praised for its witty dialogue, strong writing, and engaging cast. It has also been nominated for Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards.
Photo by Pepsi/Getty Images.