Some of the country’s top gamers and video game streamers went on a virtual scavenger hunt after top gamer Alodia Gosiengfiao posed a challenge to the local gaming world: can you find McDo food items in video games?
On Saturday, November 26, the top gaming influencer posted on Facebook a screengrab of what looks like a burger with two patties from the popular open-world game Grand Theft Auto V.
Alodia asked her over eight million followers on Facebook if they think the video game burger looks like a Big Mac, McDonald’s signature burger dish.
“Dear McDonald’s, nagpaparamdam ka pati sa GTVA V ha! Big Mac ‘to, don’t you think? Parang #ThisIsMcDonalds! I’m craving na. McDo, baka naman” [“Dear McDonald’s, you’re making your presence felt even in GTA V! This looks like a Big Mac, don’t you think? Seems like #ThisIsMcDonalds! Now, I’m craving”] she said.
In response to her post, the official Facebook page of McDonald’s said Alodia’s screengrab “does look like a Big Mac.” “Wonder what other McDo food items are hiding in video games,” it added.
As an acknowledgment of Alodia’s discovery, McDonald’s gave the gaming influencer a free Big Mac. “Guys, let’s do this. Hanap pa tayo ng McDo food-alikes sa games natin, screengrab them, and claim that #ThisIsMcDonalds” [“Guys, let’s do this. Let’s look for more McDo food-alikes in our games. Screengrab them, and claim that #ThisIsMcDonalds”] she said in a follow-up Facebook post.
Alodia’s posts about McDonald’s food-alikes had gamers and streamers wondering if they could find more McDo menu items in the gaming multiverse. Similar food items have always been featured in video games and many are now realizing the McDo inspiration in them. Gamers, after all, have a penchant for snacking on their favorites while playing video games—these are already part of the gaming culture.
This relationship between video gaming and food only intensified the local gamers’ search for McDonald’s food-alikes in the video games they’re playing. Select gamers and netizens who answered Alodia’s call to post the result of their McDonald’s virtual scavenger hunt received vouchers and rewards from the fast-food giant.
“Iba ka McDonald’s! Naglalaro lang ako ng Detroit: Become Human pero nagutom ako sa nakita kong Quarter Pounder with Cheese! GG Alodia mukhang #ThisIsMcDonalds din talaga” [“You’re something else, McDonald’s! I’m just playing Detroit: Become Human here but I got hungry when I saw this Quarter Pounder with Cheese! Indeed, #ThisIsMcDonalds”] streamer Ann B. Mateo said in a Facebook post.
Streamer Tisay Gaming thought the burger mascot in Grand Theft Auto V looked like a McDonald’s cheeseburger: “Looks like I found one! Alodia Gosiengfiao may nahanap din akong Double Cheeseburger dito sa GTA V! Mukhang #ThisIsMcDonalds din!” [“Looks like I found one! Alodia Gosiengfiao, I also found a Double Cheeseburger in GTA V! Looks like #ThisIsMcDonalds as well!”]
Meanwhile, streamer DoNnn posted: “Buti pa ang McDo Fries sa GTA V nagpapakita! Eh yung leeg ko kailan kaya? Alodia Gosiengfiao, mukhang #ThisIsMcDonalds!” [“McDo Fries appearing in GTA V! So when will my neck keep up? Alodia Gosiengfiao, looks like #ThisIsMcDonalds!”]
Known for having various in-game food items, Genshin Impact also wasn’t spared in the hunt. “Nakahanap din ako ng McSpaghetti and Hash Browns dito sa Genshin Impact”
[“I also found McSpaghetti and Hash Browns here in Genshin Impact!”] streamer NikkiNikki posted on her Facebook page.
Hitting the motherlode in the hunt while playing Fall Guys is Maggiekarp. “Idk if I’m hungry or if Alodia Gosiengfiao was right. I found a bunch of quarter pounders and McDo fries in Fall Guys! #ThisIsMcDonalds talaga” [“I don’t know if I’m hungry or if Alodia Gosiengfiao was right. I found a bunch of quarter pounders and McDo fries in Fall Guys! #ThisisMcDonalds indeed”] she posted on Facebook.
Maggiekarp’s discovery of what seems like an army of quarter pounders was noticed by McDonald’s, too, and was rewarded with real-life versions of her virtual find. “My late-night cravings before stream have been fulfilled. This is way too much food but I’m not complaining, anyone want some? Come join me in the hunt for more McDonald’s menu items in games!” she wrote.
Alodia’s followers also joined and searched for McDo menu items in various games, from casual match-3 games to intense multiplayer online battle arena games.
It would be interesting to see how this search for McDonald’s food-alikes will develop as more excited gamers participate in the coming days or weeks. One thing’s for sure – the hunt is on!