Which gaming mascot was originally created as a placeholder character during development before becoming the official face of their franchise?

In the world of gaming, iconic mascots have become the face of major brands, driving recognition and loyalty among players. These characters often evolve from simple pixel art to complex 3D models, sometimes with fascinating origin stories that even dedicated gamers might not know. Test your knowledge about the history and evolution of gaming's most recognizable brand representatives!

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Kirby (Nintendo) - Originally a simple white blob placeholder that developers grew attached to
Master Chief (Xbox/Halo) - Initially designed as a robotic test model for armor physics
Crash Bandicoot (PlayStation) - First conceived as an animated loading screen that gained popularity
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega) - Started as a rabbit character that could pick up objects with extendable ears