In an unusual move, Changyou has announced a partnership with Hollywood star Johnny Depp for their mobile MMORPG. Depp recently made headlines for his defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard, which the publishers did not hesitate to mention in their big announcement.
Rather than obfuscate any mention of the trial, which included references to domestic violence, drug use, and other potentially upsetting topics, they went on to say their relationship with Depp is built on “mutual trust.”
It’s unclear why they chose that path, but given the nature of the defamation trial and what was established in a similar case between Depp and The Sun newspaper in the United Kingdom, which he lost, it’s a bold move. Since the start of the American trial, Depp’s publicist has been working overtime, with the actor being photographed everywhere from UK pubs to playing gigs.
For those interested, the game is called Sea of Dawn and is a mobile MMORPG, as previously stated. The collaboration is for the game as well as a new “adventure short film.” Sea of Dawn is a “exploration game” set in the sixteenth century, prompting online comparisons to Depp’s Captain Jack.
The deal is unlikely to compete with Depp’s previous endorsements, which include being the face of Dior’s Sauvage fragrances and advertising Japan’s Asahi beer, as well as multiple fashion brands and a Disneyland ride. The footage of Sea of Dawn released in 2020, on the other hand, showed some incredible graphics for a mobile game, leading to SEA IGN getting very excited about the new title.
