Both cinema and games fans can agree that there’s been a recent rise in adaptations to the TV screens. From The Last of Us to League of Legends, Arcane, and Super Mario Bros achieving outstanding critics’ approval, it has been proved that beloved video games can represent an immense opportunity for cinematic experience. But why are they so successful?
Personally, I believe it varies from video game to video game. While The Last of Us was a hit due to its sensible portrayal of a story that surrounds friendship, hope, and grief, both Arcane and Super Mario Bros represent a powerful universe in which the adaptations can explore characters and create a whole new plot from them. The popularity of a game relies on its unique feature, a special capability of gripping the audience’s attention, whether through its narrative, character relationships, or playable dynamics.
So, beyond relying on a loyal fan base, adaptations tend to be a success when they are able to maintain the game’s essence and add elements from cinema to conquer new audiences. That being said, here are 4 video games that I believe would make compelling adaptations to TV and why:
- UNTIL DAWN
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Who has never felt angry at a Horror movie character for doing something dumb that will obviously get them killed? In Until Dawn, the problem is solved. Through decision-making gameplay with over six finales, the player is responsible for the actions of carefree teenagers who are spending the weekend at a mountain lodge, surrounded by creepy monsters and a snowstorm.
The main objective is to keep most of the characters alive until dawn, when rescue arrives. This way, the game has a great potential to be an adaptation in which the audience can choose its own path, similar to Black Mirror’s “Bandersnatch”, whilst experiencing the thrill of a horror movie.
- LITTLE NIGHTMARES
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It is an indie game that captures a carefully constructed dark and eerie atmosphere surrounding Six, a little girl in a yellow raincoat. Little Nightmares is filled with mini puzzles and many monsters that look like they have been pulled out of a kid’s worst dreams.
Since the game has practically no dialogue, the player gets more and more intrigued as each phase goes by, wondering how a small child could be put into such a tragic context and what the underlying message of it. For this very reason, an adaptation into a movie or a mini-series could present a linear and confirmed narrative of the game, which would please the fan base and also display a suspenseful story capable of captivating newer and fresher audiences.
- HORIZON ZERO DAWN
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Produced by Guerilla Games, Horizon presents a post-apocalyptic world in which the human species has reorganized themselves into tribes while coexisting with mechanical beasts. Because of the impressive world-building and the protagonist’s search for self-knowledge, independence, and strength, Horizon Zero Dawn won the Writer’s Guild America Award for Best Video Game Script in 2018.
In addition to the hero’s touching adventure, I believe that a science fiction TV series could catch the public’s attention due to its discussions about artificial intelligence and the future of humanity amongst environmental changes.
- OVERWATCH
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Winner of the Game of the Year by Game Award of 2016, Overwatch is an online multiplayer video game in which each player can choose a hero, from over 37 options with their own unique abilities, to complete group missions. Known for their diversity of nationalities, cultures, and fighting dynamics, at least one character can be a match to any player.
Similar to Arcane, the game could be made into an adaptation featuring some of these heroes and a common storyline between them. Through charismatic voice lines and a premise of saving the world, an adaptation could be a great opportunity to catch viewers interested in animated action and comedy TV series.
From these options I have selected, I would argue that all of them hold some kind of singular element capable of representing a new tendency in the movie industry. Whether that is the interaction between viewers and plot lines, ethical discussions about humanity’s path, sinister world-building, or an impactful connection amongst diverse characters, it all comes down to finding innovative narratives. Because, in a context where Hollywood keeps investing time and money in an absurd amount of sequels and well-known franchises, it might be an exceptional opportunity for freshened-up ideas from gaming producers.
The article above was edited by Amanda Moraes.
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