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Feature

Christmas Celebrations In Video Games

by Annette Gonzalez on Dec 25, 2010 at 08:00 AM

What better way to celebrate the holiday season than with your favorite games! With this in mind, developers oftentimes add time-sensitive events or festive features to get gamers into the holiday spirit. Here are just a few ways video games celebrate Christmas.

World of Warcraft: During the Feast of Winter Veil, players can engage in holiday quests, play with snow, and receive special gifts. Greatfather Winter serves as an in-game Santa.

Guild Wars: During “Wintersday” towns are decorated with gifts, snow, candy, and holiday NPCs.

RuneScape: Christmas events offer short quests that provide holiday-themed rewards such as Santa hats.

Final Fantasy XIV: For a couple of weeks over the holiday season, all cities are decorated with trees and bells, players can also call upon Santa who will present you with gifts.

Shenmue: Streets are adorned with Christmas decorations.

The Simpsons Road Rage: Christmas Apu is only available on Christmas.

Team Fortress: The Festive Winter Crate is decorated with snow and a wreath. Requires the Festive Winter Crate Key to open.

Christmas Nights: In this Christmas-themed, two-level version of Nights into Dreams for Sega Saturn, Elliot and Claris love the holidays, but feel something is amiss. The Christmas Star that sits atop the Twin Seeds Christmas tree is missing and the pair venture off to find it.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Winter Crash is the Christmas-themed version of the game's original Crash level, except it takes place at night, is set on a snowy landscape, and buildings are covered in decorative lights. Players can find a giant Christmas tree by a downed helicopter as well. Air strikes deliver presents instead of bombs.

Operation Flashpoint: Small spruce trees are decorated as Christmas trees with presents and ornaments.

Animal Crossing: The town is blanketed in snow, select trees are decorated, and NPCs will deliver dialogue related to the holiday. A special reindeer character named Jingle will roam around town. On holidays the Mayor gives out special items as well.

LittleBigPlanet: Santa costume DLC.

 

Share more in-game Christmas themes in the comments section! Which one is your favorite?