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IGN have uploaded a snippet of an interview with the art director for Dispatch. Discussing the inspiration for “sexy demon lady” Malevola, the art director revealed that she’s based on famous supermodel Cindy Crawford as well as popular fitness influencer and muscle queen, LeanBeefPatty.
Regarding Cindy Crawford first, her inspiration comes from a 1992 “Pepsi commercial” where she came out of a car in a “white bodysuit and cut-off jean shorts and high heels”. Seeing this commercial back in the day, “everybody lost their mind” and is “what Malevola was based off” as she’s “Cindy Crawford from that commercial meets hot rod demon lady”.
While Cindy Crawford is the inspiration for Malevola’s outfit and sexy demeanour, the art director shared it’s all combined with the “body type of LeanBeefPatty,” described as an “influencer who’s ripped”. LeanBeefPatty is a very popular fitness influencer with nearly six million followers on Instagram plus nearly three million subscribers on YouTube.
Topping off her physical appearance, Malevola is voiced by former IGN writer and presenter, Alanah Pearce, who, since leaving IGN, has gone on to become a writer for Santa Monica Studio as well as voice act for a variety of projects, including a cameo in Cyberpunk 2077 for the Nomad origin path.
No, You Can’t Romance Malevola in Dispatch
Although AdHoc cruelly teased on X, “Maybe you’re just making all the wrong choices,” you cannot romance Malevola in Dispatch. This is a shame for many as she’s become one of the biggest fan-favorites amongst the game’s excellent ensemble.
As for why she’s not romanceable, AdHoc Studio co-founder and Dispatch writer, Pierre Shorette, told Inverse that they didn’t include more romance options because the developer “didn’t know [romance] was going to be such a meaningful part of the experience for folks”. In addition to only two romance options, Shorette teased that maybe “one day” fans will get to see all of the sex scenes regretfully cut from the game.
If Season 2 ever happens, hopefully AdHoc will add more romance options, including Malevola. There’s no guarantee Season 2 will happen, but Aaron Paul has said the door is “definitely slightly ajar”. Shorette has also said the studio is “going to have to a least think about Season 2” following the game’s surprising success.
Dispatch has become a massive hit seemingly out-of-nowhere. It sold over 1 million copies in just 10 days and is on track to beat its three years sales target in just three months. It is also one of the best-rated PS5 games on the PSN store with a near-perfect 9.6 rating, and it is nominated for Best Debut Indie Game at Geoff Keighley’s Game Awards.
We would absolutely love a second season, but, regardless of what AdHoc does next, we’ll definitely be there day one.
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