Facing Judgment

I was truly impressed by Terminator 2D: No Fate when it was revealed earlier this year. I love the concept of a tie-in that stays authentic both to the film’s events and the gaming era during which it was released. The developer, Bitmap Bureau, has done a commendable job in recreating key scenes and characters from the film in a way that feels true to the original.

However, one notable absence in No Fate is Arnold Schwarzenegger. The publisher, Reef Entertainment, just revealed that it could not secure the rights to his likeness for the game. Therefore, representations of the T800 will only be based on the character and not on Schwarzenegger himself.

“Arnold Schwarzenegger isn’t in the game, it’s just a T800,” Reef told IGN. “What we have is the right to use the characters, like Sarah Connor and John Connor, while the likeness rights are contingent on agreements with specific actors.”

Reef detailed how they negotiated rights to characters like Sarah Connor, who is played by Linda Hamilton. The game will stick to showcasing the character rather than the actor’s likeness.

With character faces not being as prominent in the 16-bit aesthetic, this limitation might not detract from the overall experience, although it is unfortunate for fans of the franchise. They have, however, managed to secure rights to involve Michael Edwards, the actor who portrayed adult John Connor briefly during the film’s future war scene.

This absence of Arnold certainly leaves a unique mark on the title. Nevertheless, the game’s release on September 5 is keenly awaited, and it’s not the only Terminator title on the horizon, with Nacon’s cooperative shooter also expected later this year.