Jasper and I were rewatching Sonic 2 yesterday, which was the first film I ever took him to the cinema to see. Then I received a text from a friend with the film trailer of Tetris.
Tetris!
I watched it with dread, but it actually looks pretty good.
Perhaps we are at the forefront of an onslaught of Video game movies, serious attempts at great shows and movies... not the trashy cash grabs of the past. Much like the Superhero era we are currently in?
Over the past few years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of video game adaptations in film and television. From blockbuster hits like "Sonic the Hedgehog" and "Detective Pikachu" to critically acclaimed TV shows like "The Last of Us" and "Castlevania," it seems that the worlds of gaming and entertainment are colliding in new and exciting ways.
The rise of video game adaptations can be attributed to several factors. For one, the video game industry has been booming for years, with an estimated 2.7 billion gamers worldwide. As the gaming community grows, so does the potential audience for video game adaptations. Additionally, video game franchises often come with built-in fan bases, which can help generate buzz and interest for these adaptations.
One of the most significant video game adaptations of the past year was "The Last of Us," a TV show based on the critically acclaimed video game of the same name. The show, which premiered on HBO, was met with widespread acclaim for its faithful adaptation of the source material and its impressive performances by actors Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. The success of "The Last of Us" has also spurred interest in other video game adaptations, with shows based on popular games like "Halo" and "Resident Evil" currently in development.
It seems that we may be entering a golden era of gaming on the big and small screens.
Another highly anticipated video game adaptation is the upcoming "Tetris" movie. While the premise of a film based on a simple puzzle game may seem strange, the movie promises to be an epic sci-fi adventure that takes place during the Cold War. With a reported budget of over $80 million, the "Tetris" movie is a bold move that shows just how much potential Hollywood sees in the world of video games.
Of course, not all video game adaptations have been successful. For every "Sonic the Hedgehog" or "The Last of Us," there is a "Super Mario Bros." or "Assassin's Creed" that fails to live up to expectations. However, as video game adaptations continue to evolve and improve, it seems that we may be entering a golden era of gaming on the big and small screens.
But what does this mean for the hobby of gaming? On one hand, the rise of video game adaptations could help bring gaming further into the mainstream. As more people become interested in these adaptations, they may be more inclined to try out the source material for themselves. Additionally, successful adaptations could lead to more investment in the video game industry, potentially resulting in better and more ambitious games in the future.
On the other hand, some gamers may worry that video game adaptations could water down the unique experiences that gaming provides. A video game offers a level of interactivity and immersion that a film or TV show simply cannot match. As more attention is paid to video game adaptations, some gamers may worry that the focus will shift away from the art of game design and toward the commercial potential of these properties.
Ultimately, the rise of video game adaptations is a complex issue that will continue to evolve in the years to come. As Hollywood continues to mine the world of gaming for new ideas and audiences, we can expect to see more and more video game adaptations hit our screens. Whether this is a good thing for the world of gaming is up for debate, but one thing is certain: the relationship between gaming and entertainment is only going to grow stronger in the years to come.
I for one welcome more light shone on some of my favourite games, and being able to take my son to a Sonic film as his first movie at the cinema was something truly special - we both really wanted to see it! And maybe, just maybe, Emmas enjoyment of The Last of Us each Monday night might slightly increase the chances of her sampling the actual games one day.