The Video Game Soda Machine Project

Alan Wake 2

Limu vending machine from Alan Wake 2

This Limu soda machine pops up in Alan Wake 2! Or does it? Honestly, it is hard to tell what is real in Alan Wake 2.

Now the only question is whether I am in the mood for No Brand Lemon Lime, Blue Cow, or… Pizza Pants?

Limu vending machine closeup from Alan Wake 2

Thanks for tracking these down for me, VonAether!

If you would like a clearer look at the Limu vending machine model, Sebastian Schultz, one of the artists on Alan Wake 2, posted his original art for the machine. [Source]

Limu vending machine from Alan Wake 2

Finally, here is what I suspect is more likely a coffee machine than a soda machine. But I like the retro styling!

Coffee vending machine from Alan Wake 2

The fun is really percolating now. Thanks to Steve for the screenshot!

Cyberpunk 2077

Brendan the talking vending machine from Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City is a corporatized dystopia that’s chock-full of vending machines, and where better to start than with Brendan, an AI who was uploaded into one of the city’s Spontaneous Craving Satisfaction Machines (SCSMs)? The game’s database describes Brendan as follows: “In the dehumanized reality of the city, where ruthlessness and strength earn prestige, Brendan remains the best bud anyone could ask for.” [Source]

Next up, we have a NiCola vending machine. Taste the love!

A NiCola vending machine from Cyberpunk 2077

The vending machine below also serves up ice-cold cans of NiCola.

Vending machine from Cyberpunk 2077

Next up, we have a denizen of Night City trying to decide what to purchase from a Cirrus Cola machine. I can only assume NiCola and Cirrus Cola have a whole Coke/Pepsi Cola War thing going on, only their war probably involves actual bullets.

A Cirrus Cola vending machine from Cyberpunk 2077

And here’s a different Cirrus Cola model behind a cage. Vandalism seems to be a real problem in this late-stage techno-capitalist hellhole.

A Cirrus Cola vending machine from Cyberpunk 2077

Meanwhile, if you prefer to customize your beverage experience, ChroManitcore promises “16 flavors you’ll love to mix.”

A ChroManticore vending machine from Cyberpunk 2077

This next vending machine mostly offers snacks, but it also dispenses Spunky Monkey, a popular brand of non-alcoholic cocktails.

Vending machine from Cyberpunk 2077

Finally, here’s a classic, all-purpose (don’t call it generic!) Night City vending machine, serving up a variety of drinks and snacks.

A vending machine from Cyberpunk 2077

The Sims 4

A lineup of vending machines from The Sims 4

My Sim has it all: a beautiful single-story home in Mt. Komorebi, access to the “motherlode” Simoleon cheat code, and a lineup of vending machines on her front lawn that dispense a variety of drinks and snacks!

Meanwhile, The Sims 4: Life & Death expansion pack adds the ability to create a ghost Sim, and one of the possible causes of death is “death by vending machine.”

The Sims 4, death by vending machine

Here’s a closer look…

The Sims 4, death by vending machine (closeup)

What a way to go!

Oh, and in case anyone is counting, the Video Game Soda Machine Project has officially cataloged its 3,500th soda machine with this entry. As they say in The Sims, woohoo!