A stocky raccoon named Jimothy has conquered social media in less than a week, and the gaming industry is already scrambling to pay tribute.
The Seattle-based animal became an overnight sensation after Instagram user Kiana Hall posted a video capturing his distinctive appearance. Hall named him Jimothy simply because he "looked like a Jimothy." What started as a single post has since exploded across X, Reddit, Facebook, and virtually every major platform, generating millions of impressions and countless fan edits.
Jimothy's unusual stature, believed by many to stem from Short Spine Syndrome, makes him instantly recognizable and unforgettable. Locals had spotted him before Hall's video, but her footage turned a neighborhood curiosity into a full-blown internet phenomenon.
Game developers have wasted no time joining the Jimothy craze. Dee Dee Creations, the studio behind the 2024 title Squirrel With a Gun, released a quick tribute featuring Jimothy armed and ready for action. More significantly, major studios have thrown their weight behind the viral star.
Blizzard Entertainment created a detailed render showing how Jimothy would appear in World of Warcraft, while Old School RuneScape followed with its own artistic interpretation. Both posts generated immediate enthusiasm from their respective player bases.
The reality check comes with a caveat: none of these tributes are actually available in the games themselves. Dee Dee Creations clarified that its Jimothy skin was a quick modification of an existing raccoon character, not an official addition for all players.
That hasn't stopped fans from demanding official Jimothy support. World of Warcraft players are calling for Jimothy to become a battle pet or mount, while RuneScape enthusiasts want him as a transmog option. One user joked that if Jimothy arrives in-game, he should be made unattackable to protect the beloved creature.
For now, Jimothy remains a viral sensation confined to social media and tribute videos. Whether any studio will make him an official in-game addition remains to be seen.
Author Emily Chen: "Gaming studios saw Jimothy trending and immediately understood the assignment, but until someone actually codes him in, these are just elaborate fan service renders that prove the industry knows exactly how to chase what the internet loves."
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