Stranger Things Season Finale Drew Inspiration from Renowned Video Game

Key Takeaways

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The Stranger Things Season 5 finale was influenced by Baldurs Gate 3 and the D&D universe, with the Mind Flayer and Vecna villain names originating from the childrens understanding of D&D.
The final season of Stranger Things also drew inspiration from classic video games such as Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Metal Gear Solid.
A Minecraft expansion celebrating the end of Stranger Things has been released.
Rhea Seehorns debut as a sorceress in the 1997 Magic: The Gathering PC game has seen renewed interest due to Pluribus success.

Stranger Things Season Finale Inspired by Baldur’s Gate 3, D&D Roots Echoing in Character Development and Villain Naming

The Stranger Things Season 5 finale delivered a thrilling experience, mirroring the feel of a live-action video game, a sensation the Duffer brothers intentionally created. Matt Duffer told Variety that he and his brother Ross drew inspiration from Baldur’s Gate 3 while writing the Netflix series finale. Duffer explained that, while considering how to end Stranger Things, he was playing Baldur’s Gate 3. The brothers felt it crucial that the only way to defeat the Mind Flayer would be through the entire team working together. He noted that, much like characters in Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur’s Gate 3, the Stranger Things characters reached their peak potential by accepting themselves and resolving personal issues, enabling them to enter the final battle at their strongest. Both Stranger Things and Baldur’s Gate 3 are rooted in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, and Stranger Things draws direct influence from it. The young heroes’ names for the villains—Mind Flayer and Vecna—come from their understanding of Dungeons & Dragons, reflecting the children’s interpretations rather than the entities’ true identities.

Stranger Things’ Final Season Draws Inspiration from Classic Video Games and Minecraft Expansion Released

Beyond Baldur’s Gate 3, the final season of Stranger Things also incorporated inspiration from classic video games such as Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Metal Gear Solid. In related news, a Minecraft expansion celebrating the end of Stranger Things has been released. Pluribus’ success has also sparked renewed interest in Rhea Seehorn’s debut as a sorceress in the 1997 Magic: The Gathering PC game.

In Case You Missed It

In other gaming news, we’ve recently published an insightful piece by Jonathan Dubinski on the departure of Matt Firor from ZeniMax Online Studios. “Elder Scrolls Online Leader Departs Due to Microsoft” (2026-01-02) sheds light on Firor’s exit and his reasons behind it, including his disagreement with Microsoft’s restructuring decisions that led to project cancellations. If you’re interested in the inner workings of the gaming industry and the human stories behind them, check out this article here Elder Scrolls Online Leader Departs Due to Microsoft. Meanwhile, Marcus Thompson’s recent analysis published on January 4th provides a sobering look into Xbox’s struggles amidst layoffs and project cancellations, with the console giant enduring a historic collapse in the UK, dropping by a staggering 39% in annual sales. However, fear not gaming enthusiasts, as Matt Booty promises new announcements this month at the Xbox Developer Direct event. Dive in for more details Xbox Endures Historic Collapse in UK with Worst Annual Sales Ever. While we’re discussing gaming surprises, did you know that Sandfall Interactive initially predicted Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 would score just 80 on Metacritic? In Marcus Thompson’s compelling article from January 2nd, “Before Release, Sandfall Believed Clair Obscur Would Score Just 80 on Metacritic”, we learn about the developer’s modest projections and their disbelief at the game’s eventual 92-point triumph. It’s a fascinating read that sheds light on the development process of this year’s major release Before Release, Sandfall Believed Clair Obscur Would Score Just 80 on Metacritic.

Specification
Official Name	Groove Coaster: Initial Initial Echo Ego
Brief Summary	Touhou Project music DLC for Groove CoasterTitle: Initial Initial Echo EgoArtist: RD-Sounds*Arrange from Touhou ShinreibyouDifficulty: Simple 2 / Normal 5 / Hard 8BPM: 156
Genre	Music
Play Modes	Single player