When you look at movies that has come about after being adapted from a video game, there really isn't a strong list of contenders that stick out as truly 'awesome' adaptations. However, when you look at certain games on the market, it's always a shock to see that they have not been translated well, some of the story writing on particular games is the same level as some would expect from a typical Hollywood blockbuster. So, why are we not seeing more successful video game to movie adaptions?
Sony have decided that they want to change all of this. The company have set up PlayStation Productions, which will see the company adapt some of its 100 plus original gaming properties for film or television, with the studios first projects already well into the development stages. There are no specifics on which games are getting the Hollywood treatment however.
In an interview, Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden says the decision is geared to giving 25-years of stories a new lease of life.
“We’ve got 25 years of game development experience and that’s created 25 years of great games, franchises and stories,” Layden said. “We feel that now is a good time to look at other media opportunities across streaming or film or television to give our worlds life in another spectrum.”
The person in charge of all this is Asad Qizilbash, who says that Sony has made the decision to develop its own productions, rather than licensing it to other film studios. He says that the familiarity with what PlayStation lovers are seeking played a major role in the decision.
Qizilbash says: “Instead of licensing our IP out to studios, we felt the better approach was for us to develop and produce for ourselves. One, because we’re more familiar, but also because we know what the PlayStation community loves.
“For the last year and half, two years, we’ve spent time trying to understand the industry, talking to writers, directors, producers,” says Qizilbash. “We talked to [film producer] Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Kevin Feige to really get an understanding of the industry.”
Layden added that the success of Marvel in developing its own movies, compared with the mixed results produced by various major Hollywood studios also inspired Sony to have a go at creating their own movies and shows.
“We looked at what Marvel has done in taking the world of comic books and making it into the biggest thing in the film world,” says Layden. “It would be a lofty goal to say we’re following in their footsteps, but certainly we’re taking inspiration from that.”
