The Video Game Soda Machine Project

Gears of War: E-Day

Fizzy Originals vending machine from Gears of War: E-Day

Gears of War: E-Day is set 15 years before the original game, and I guess there were a lot of soda machines around when the Locust Horde arrived. Thankfully, battle-hardened screenshot scavenger doc is here to catalog them all, starting with the Premium Fizzy Originals Soda Pop machine seen above.

And here’s another Fizzy Originals model…

Fizzy Originals vending machine from Gears of War: E-Day

What do you mean, “Let’s hope there’s not more”? Let’s hope there are lots more!

Next up is this brightly lit ice cold drinks vending machine, but it seems to have a little… red on it.

Ice cold drinks machine from Gears of War: E-Day

Here’s a less bloody version.

Ice cold drinks machine from Gears of War: E-Day

Coming up next is this cold drinks machine, along with a snack machine that, if you ask me, looks more like a cigarette vending machine. Maybe it sells candy cigarettes. For snacking.

Cold drinks and snacks vending machines from Gears of War: E-Day

What’s cooler than being cool? Ice cold — just like this ice cold beverages machine!

Ice cold beverages machine from Gears of War: E-Day

Finally, we have this cold drinks machine. All these soda machines might explain why the soldier guys in Gears of War look so aggressively hydrated.

Cold drinks machine from Gears of War: E-Day

And, to close things out, here’s a closer look at that vending machine’s offerings.

Cold drinks machine from Gears of War: E-Day (closeup)

It looks like we have orange, cranberry, ginger ale and ginger beer, and something called Bone Skull. Sounds delicious!

Thanks for the amazing work on this one, doc!

Halo Infinite

Critical Dewpoint vending machine from Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite and Mountain Dew reunited in 2023 to launch the Critical Dewpoint map, celebrating the return of Halo 3’s Game Fuel Citrus Cherry. The map includes this vending machine that dispenses 2007-flavored nostalgia in power-up form.

The Wreck

A vending machine from The Wreck

The Wreck is a 3D visual novel about memory, family, and a very difficult day in the life of failed screenwriter Junon. Meanwhile, this vending machine stocked full of snack and drinks just hangs out in the background. [Source]

The Night Is Grey

An Alpha Cola vending machine from The Night Is Grey

This Alpha Cola vending machine provides a welcome glow in The Night Is Grey, a 2024 point-and-click adventure from Whalestork Interactive.

The screenshot was submitted by friend-of-the-site Ron, who shared a little context: “At this point in the game, that soda machine is one of your only light sources at the edge of kind of a spooky wooded area. You are later able to get some lights on, but that soda machine is basically your lifeline at the beginning of that chapter.” Thanks, Ron!

Star Trek Online

Replimat vending machine from Star Trek Online

Captain’s Log, Stardate 86088.6: After completing the Starfleet tutorial and taking command of the U.S.S. Stalwart, I immediately set a course for Deep Space 9 at maximum warp. Upon arrival, I discovered this replimat on the Promenade dispensing a human beverage known as “root beer” for a mere 20 credits.

Replimat vending machine from Star Trek Online

If your tastebuds don’t find root beer particularly engaging, you can always head back to the Beta Quadrant for a Starfleet-issued cream soda.

A replicator from Star Trek Online

A replicator from Star Trek Online

I thought the Federation was supposed to be a post-capitalist utopia! You’d never catch Commander Riker plunking space quarters into a replicator, and you know that guy loves a good cream soda.

Control Resonant

Limu vending machines from Control: Resonant

These Limu soda machines, previously seen in Alan Wake 2, return to light up the night in Control Resonant. Thanks for the screenshot, Wendi!

Meanwhile, this vintage soda machine looks like it could have been sitting in some forgotten corner of the Federal Bureau of Control for decades.

Vending machines from Control Resonant

At least I think that’s a soda machine. It seems kinda…flat? Thanks for the screenshot, VonAether!