Fandom Fixed It: 7 Times Fans Helped Make Game Adaptations Better
- Kelly Gowe
- May 28
- 3 min read
1. The Last of Us — Fans demanded accuracy and HBO actually listened
When HBO announced The Last of Us, longtime fans were anxious. Another adaptation of a beloved game? It had every chance to go wrong. But from the casting of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey to the preservation of iconic scenes like the giraffe moment, it was clear the showrunners had done their homework. Fans had already lived with this story for a decade. Their passion set the tone for what the show needed to honour. The creators paid attention and gave us something that felt both familiar and fresh.
2. Arcane — Built on the bones of fandom lore
Before Arcane, League of Legends had incredible artwork and character ideas, but its story was all over the place. That did not stop fans from building their own narratives through fan art, videos, and roleplays. Riot Games noticed. Arcane was not just an attempt to expand the story, it was a love letter to the players who had spent years imagining something deeper. From the emotional bond between Vi and Jinx to the texture of Zaun and Piltover, it felt like the writers had been reading fan blogs for years. And honestly, they probably had.
3. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners — A comeback powered by fandom love
Cyberpunk 2077’s launch was rough. Broken quests, glitches, and disappointment left a bitter taste. But then Edgerunners hit Netflix and everything changed. The anime captured everything the game had promised and then some. Emotional stakes, gritty storytelling, unforgettable characters. Fans responded fast. Art, edits, cosplay, even new players picking up the game. The surge was so intense it boosted sales and brought Cyberpunk back to life. A good story helped, but the fandom’s support is what made it unforgettable.
4. Detective Pikachu — Fans helped shape the vibe
When the trailer dropped, everyone had a different idea of what Pikachu should sound like. The internet rallied around a wild idea: Danny DeVito. The casting didn’t happen, but the wave of memes and edits helped set the tone. The studio saw that fans wanted weird and funny, not just cute. That set the stage for Ryan Reynolds to deliver a Pikachu with sarcasm and charm. The fandom gave the film permission to be odd, and that ended up working in its favour.
5. Castlevania (Netflix) — Made for fans, carried by them
Castlevania’s Netflix series did not waste time trying to appeal to everyone. It went straight for the heart of the fans with bloody lore, brutal pacing, and characters that actually had depth. And it paid off. The fandom took it from niche to essential. Tumblr lit up with Alucard fan art, cosplay exploded, and the fandom helped keep the series alive season after season. This is what happens when a studio trusts the players who have kept the franchise alive through thick and thin.
6. Sonic the Hedgehog — The power of yelling online actually worked
The original Sonic movie design was cursed. The internet dragged it for good reason. Fans made memes, videos, even redesigns. And the studio listened. They delayed the release, fixed the design, and gave Sonic a look that fans could actually get behind. The result was a hit movie, a sequel, and a revival of Sonic’s cultural clout. This is one of the rare times public backlash helped instead of hurt. The internet bullied this movie into being good. Thank you, chaos emeralds.
7. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves — A film that got it because the players kept the spirit alive
Dungeons and Dragons has always been about improvisation, chaos, and inside jokes. The latest movie could have tried to be too serious or too gritty. Instead, it leaned into what makes D&D fun. Group dynamics, botched plans, unexpected heart. The fandom responded because it reflected their own campaigns. This wasn’t just a fantasy movie. It felt like game night. And fans recognised that right away. From Critical Role fans to casual players, the support pushed the film from a gamble to a win.
