Frank West - The Photojournalist Who Faced The Undead

Cade Ratke 20 Jun 2025

Frank West, a name that certainly brings to mind images of zombie hordes and a camera flash, is a character who has made quite a splash in the world of video games. He’s a person who, you know, really gets into the thick of things, always seeking out the big story. This photojournalist, a key figure in a popular series of survival horror games, has a way of finding himself right in the middle of chaos, often with a trusty camera in hand. His story, as a matter of fact, is pretty much about chasing down the scoop of a lifetime, no matter how dangerous it gets.

He's the main person in the "Dead Rising" games, a series known for its zombie survival action. Frank is, in a way, the face of this whole franchise from Capcom. He’s known for his intense dedication to getting the story, even if it means facing down countless undead creatures. You see him, and you just sort of know things are about to get wild, too it's almost a guarantee of interesting happenings.

From his initial appearance to his many guest spots and changes in look, Frank has been a constant presence for fans. He’s a freelance journalist, someone who works for himself, and that independent spirit really shines through in his actions. It’s pretty clear he enjoys the thrill of a good, dangerous assignment, which is why he ends up in some rather sticky situations. His journey, as I was saying, is quite a memorable one for anyone who has followed his adventures.

Who is Frank West, Really?
Personal Details and Bio Data
Where Has Frank West Popped Up?
What Makes Frank West, Well, Frank West?
How Has Frank West Changed Over Time?
What's the Deal with Frank West's Voice?
The Look and Style of Frank West
Other Mentions from the Provided Information

Who is Frank West, Really?

You know, Frank West, or Francis Algernon West as he’s also known, is the main character from the "Dead Rising" line of games, the ones that are all about surviving a zombie outbreak. He’s a freelance journalist, which means he works for himself, and he’s pretty passionate about getting a good picture and a good story. Born in 1970 in the United States, he actually got a university degree in journalism, and that's what he ended up doing for a living. His life, you know, was pretty normal for a while, but then it took a really big turn when something significant happened.

He first became widely known as the main person in the original "Dead Rising" game. He came to a place called Willamette, initially just looking for a really big story, a "scoop of a lifetime," as he put it. What he found there, however, was something entirely different, something involving a helicopter pilot and a situation that quickly escalated. He’s basically the main character in a few of the "Dead Rising" games, including the first one, "Dead Rising 2: Off the Record," and "Dead Rising 4." He’s always, or at least very often, carrying his camera, ready to capture whatever comes his way. He's, in some respects, quite a driven individual when it comes to his work.

He's a photojournalist, someone who uses his camera to document events, and that's a big part of his identity in the games. He’s the main figure in "Dead Rising," a game from Capcom where you try to survive against zombies. Frank is a freelance photographer who goes to Willamette, Colorado, to check out a zombie outbreak there. He shows up in a bunch of "Dead Rising" games and even some crossover titles, always using his camera to snap pictures and put together various makeshift weapons. It’s pretty much his signature move, combining items to create something useful in a tough spot.

Personal Details and Bio Data

Full Name	Francis Algernon West
Birth Year	1970
Occupation	Photojournalist, Freelance Photographer
Primary Series	Dead Rising
Key Traits	Investigates zombie outbreaks, uses camera for photos and combo weapons, possesses natural combat skill.
Typical Appearance	Unbuttoned white shirt, black leather jacket, green pants, watch, always carries a camera.

Where Has Frank West Popped Up?

Frank West has shown up in a few other games since he first appeared in "Dead Rising." For instance, he made an appearance in "Extreme Condition" and "Lost Planet 2." In those games, you could actually get him as a player skin, which is like a different outfit for your character, on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC versions. So, he wasn't just stuck in his own series, which is pretty neat. He’s also a character you can play as in "Tatsunoko vs. Capcom," which is a fighting game, and that’s a bit of a departure from his usual zombie-fighting duties, you know.

He’s the main person in "Dead Rising," "Dead Rising 2: Off the Record," and "Dead Rising 4." He was also one of the main people in the downloadable content game "Dead Rising 2: Case West," where he was alongside another character named Chuck Greene. He’s the one who says, "Remember that name 'cause the whole world's gonna know it in three days, when I get the scoop. That's right Frank West the star of Capcom's Dead..." It’s a pretty memorable line that really captures his spirit, so it is.

His role in the games really puts him front and center. He's the main character in "Dead Rising," and also in "Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop." He takes on a secondary role in "Dead Rising 2," but then he's back as the main person for "Dead Rising 2: Off the Record" and "Dead Rising 4." It's like, you know, he just keeps coming back for more zombie action. He’s definitely a persistent fellow, always there when things get messy. He just tends to be where the action is, apparently.

What Makes Frank West, Well, Frank West?

Frank is, you know, a freelance photographer who actually enjoys covering events that are quite dangerous, often just for the excitement of it. When he was looking into the Willamette Parkview Mall, he thought he was just going to find a big story, but it turned into something much more. He’s described as being an overly enthusiastic freelance photographer and photojournalist. He originally came to Willamette for what he thought would be the story of his life, and at first, he sort of thought an incident he saw with a helicopter pilot was just a small part of it. He’s got this natural ability to fight, too, which comes in handy when you're surrounded by, well, a lot of zombies.

He’s someone who never lets go of his camera, it’s always with him. That camera isn't just for taking pictures, either; it's a tool he uses to make various combo weapons. He’s known for combining different items he finds to create something that can help him survive, which is a pretty clever thing to do when you’re facing down a zombie outbreak. This knack for improvisation is, in some respects, a big part of what makes him such a capable survivor. He's got a way of making things work, you know, even when the odds are stacked against him.

He's basically the face of Capcom's "Dead Rising" series, and you could say he's a bit of a complicated character. He’s not always just one thing; there are layers to him. He’s someone who is driven by the thrill of the scoop, but also seems to have a bit of a knack for getting into trouble. He’s very much a person who acts on his own terms, which is part of his charm, I guess. He’s, like, a really unique individual in the world of video game characters, that's for sure.

How Has Frank West Changed Over Time?

You know, Frank West, as the main figure of Capcom's "Dead Rising" games, has certainly gone through some changes. In a recent talk with Inverse, the art director for "Dead Rising," Satoshi Takamatsu, talked about why Frank West looks a bit bigger, older, and perhaps a little more severe in the remastered version of the game. It seems like they wanted to show some passage of time or perhaps a different side to him. So, his appearance has, you know, been updated to reflect a new phase in his story, apparently.

This change in his physical appearance, making him seem a bit more seasoned or rugged, is something that caught the attention of fans. It shows how characters, even in video games, can grow and change over time, which is pretty interesting. It's not just about a fresh coat of paint; it's about evolving the character's presentation. He's gone from a younger, perhaps more naive journalist to someone who has clearly seen a lot and, in some respects, has been hardened by his experiences. He's, like, a character who truly develops, you know.

What's the Deal with Frank West's Voice?

There's been quite a bit of talk about Frank West's voice, especially since he's had a different person providing his voice for the upcoming remake. A lot of people were really hoping that Terence J. Rotolo, who also has other voice work to his name, would come back to do the voice. It's a common thing for fans to get attached to a particular voice for a character, and when it changes, it can be a bit of a surprise. Capcom, the company behind the game, actually announced this change, which led to a lot of discussion among those who follow the series, you know.

The original voice actor for Frank West in "Dead Rising," Terence Rotolo, won't be returning for the deluxe remaster. This made fans curious, and they went directly to the source to find out why. It’s a pretty big deal for some, as a character’s voice can really shape how you perceive them. The sound of a character's voice, you know, becomes a very integral part of their identity for many players. So, when there’s a change, it’s definitely something that gets noticed and talked about quite a bit. It’s just how things are with beloved characters, in a way.

The Look and Style of Frank West

Frank West usually wears a white shirt that's unbuttoned, a black leather jacket, and green pants, along with a watch. This is pretty much how you see him at the beginning of the game. He also always has his camera with him; he pretty much never puts it down. It’s a key part of his look and his role as a photojournalist. This attire, you know, sort of gives him a casual yet ready-for-action vibe, which suits his personality quite well. He’s not one for formal wear, that’s for sure, and that’s part of his appeal, actually.

His appearance, combined with his constant camera use, really makes him stand out. He’s got this sort of rugged, independent look that fits his freelance nature. The camera isn't just an accessory; it’s a tool he uses to gather information and, as mentioned, even craft some rather interesting weapons. So, his style is, in some respects, very practical for the situations he finds himself in. He’s a character whose look really tells you a lot about who he is and what he does, you know.

Other Mentions from the Provided Information

In a completely different context, the name "Frank West" also shows up in some other places, as found in the provided information. For example, there's a profile for a "Frank West" on Zillow, where you can find ratings and reviews. This particular "Frank West" is a real estate professional with Coldwell Banker in Austin, Texas. It’s, like, a completely different person, obviously, but the name is the same. So, it's just a mention of a name that happens to be identical to the video game character, you know.

Also, the Bakersfield City School District has a policy that prohibits discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment, or bullying based on a person’s actual or perceived ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or. This is a general policy statement from a school district, and the name "Frank West" appears in connection with it, though the context isn't directly related to the character. It's just a piece of information that happened to be in the provided text, you see.

Then there's a mention of "West Francia" or the "Kingdom of the West Franks" in medieval historiography. This refers to the early stage of the Kingdom of France, starting from the year 843 with the Treaty of Verdun and going up to 987, which was the beginning of the Capetian dynasty. This is, in a way, a historical term, not related to the character Frank West, but it uses the word "West" in a similar way to the character's name. It's just an interesting piece of information that was included, you know, in the text provided.

There's also a note about "A British horror story" that focuses on the dark true story of two married serial killers who abused, raped, and murdered several young women and girls, including their own children. Again, this is a separate piece of information from the provided text and does not refer to the character Frank West. It’s just another example of how the name "Frank West" or related terms can appear in various contexts that are completely unrelated to the video game character, you know, just to be clear.

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Frank West - The Photojournalist Who Faced The Undead

Table of Contents

Who is Frank West, Really?

Personal Details and Bio Data

Where Has Frank West Popped Up?

What Makes Frank West, Well, Frank West?

How Has Frank West Changed Over Time?

What's the Deal with Frank West's Voice?

The Look and Style of Frank West

Other Mentions from the Provided Information

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