Remembering Robin Williams: A Gamer Like Me And You

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming
By Gabriel Montenegro | Last updated Aug 11, 2025 4:19 PM ET

Robin Williams. A man who needs no introduction, but I’ll do it anyway: He could make us laugh, cry, and laugh while crying. The comedic genius behind characters like Mrs. Doubtfire and disappearing into compelling and thought-provoking roles like Andrew from Bicentennial Man. But many may not know of his other passion. From wayward adventures within Azeroth to the hysterical comedic timing of GLaDOS, Mr. Williams was an avid and enthusiastic gamer. Don’t believe me? Well, friend, Nintendo literally recruited him and his daughter to promote Legend of Zelda games.

Robin’s Inner Gamer Came With Its Own Spark

Now, if you’re thinking, “Okay, I’m sure Robin Williams may have played video games, but how passionate could he really have been?” For starters, not only did he pour hours into Blizzard Entertainment’s “World of Warcraft,” but he even dabbled in military shooters like “Battlefield” and “Call of Duty.” And while they weren’t his absolute favorite genre, namely due to his admission of being “humbled” by getting absolutely annihilated by kids a mere quarter of his age, I’m sure he may have tried honing his skills in secret, just trying to improve his KDR.

But gaming wasn’t just a way to unwind for Williams; it was a source of inspiration, bonding, and a little chaos (you’ve seen his “Spore” demo, right?). In fact, while goofing around with the creature editor in Maxis’ “Spore,” he created a beast of such questionable anatomy that he effortlessly joked, “I’m pretty much putting together a creature Darwin would go, ‘Hey, uh, I’m not taking acid ever again.’” The man simply could not help himself with such marvelous inspiration right in front of him.

Why Zelda Was More Than Just a Princess

Video of Robin Williams Zelda Commercial, Courtesy of the Zelda Universe channel

And then there’s his daughter, Zelda Williams. This wasn’t some one-off tribute, like when your friend names their dog Mario because they kinda enjoyed “Super Mario Bros.” back in the ‘80s and ’90s. Nope. According to multiple interviews, Robin and his wife were deep into their first Legend of Zelda game during her pregnancy. The name? Suggested by Robin’s son, Zak. And the rest is gaming-culture history.

Does this mean Robin Williams occasionally called his daughter “Princess Zelda”? You bet your Master Sword it does. And unlike so many actors trying to ride the wave of nerd culture, Robin’s love of Zelda was genuine. They say a child’s name is the first gift given to them by their parents. So what better way to express his love than by granting his daughter a name so profoundly important to him?

The Emotional Post-Mortem Memorial in “World of Warcraft”

When Robin Williams tragically passed in 2014, the gaming world didn’t just mourn his absence; they honored him. Following a petition to memorialize him in “World of Warcraft,” Blizzard confirmed that a non-playable character (NPC) would serve as a permanent in-game tribute. Did they make him some generic human character vaguely reminiscent of his image? Of course not! They did the legend a beautiful homage to one of his most iconic characters: They made him a Genie!

For a man whose life gave so much joy to others, young and old, it’s heartwarming to know that the virtual worlds he loved so much now carry a piece of his legacy.

Gaming Culture and Robin Williams’ Undeniable Impact

Beyond the memes and fandoms, Robin Williams showed us something profound about gaming culture. He wasn’t just some celebrity flaunting a half-hearted hobby for clout or sponsorships. From fantasy RPGs to causing chaos in trade-chat to trash-talking C.O.D. lobbies, he was the real deal. Like me and you, he knew it was about finding joy, creativity, and even a bit of solace in these digital worlds.

His passing left an irreplaceable void—not just in Hollywood, but in Azeroth, Hyrule, and every virtual battlefield in between. And in that way, his legacy will live forever in our pixelated hearts.

Game on, Mr. Williams. Game on.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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