Gaming extends beyond consoles now, raising a topic many gamers sidestep: video game adaptations. The emergence of live-action adaptations, exemplified by trailers like that of the Borderlands movie and the Fallout Series, reflects studios’ pursuit of a broader market share. While some adaptations gain traction, much remains to be refined. Unclear? Allow me to elaborate.
The Underwhelming History of Video Game Adaptations
To be frank, many video game adaptations suffer from a common issue: they are derivative of the source material. This isn’t necessarily negative, as writers should have the freedom to enhance content.
However, the motivation behind improvement is often misguided. Most video game adaptations aim to become AAA Hollywood products, resulting in a loss of the original essence. Yet, if creativity is balanced with commercialism, this shift isn’t necessarily detrimental.
Unfortunately, our track record for video game adaptations hasn’t been stellar. Some classics fall into the “so-bad-it’s-good” category, leaving memorable footprints. Iconic movies like the 1995 Mortal Kombat popularized the series theme, alongside the nightmare-inducing Super Mario Bros live-action movie. However, these are just a few examples.
Sooner rather than later, I encountered vapid, shallow adaptations devoid of thought or love. Uwe Boll’s filmography epitomizes this, leaving me puzzled how he acquired adaptation licenses. I’ve never been a fan of his work and never will be.
Why Are We Fumbling?
Video game adaptations often fail due to a common issue: attempting to distinguish themselves from the source material. Throughout the history of video game adaptations, this problem persists.
Moreover, the essence of video games lies in player agency, allowing players to act without judgment. Translating this essence into film poses challenges, as it eliminates the personalized experience. While this isn’t problematic for traditional movies, it poses a significant hurdle for adaptations.
Need examples? I’ll provide some. Consider the Assassin’s Creed and Paramount Halo Series. The Assassin’s Creed movie introduced a new story within the game’s universe but deviated so much from the plot that it lost its identity. Consequently, the movie’s plot became confusing and disjointed from the universe.
As for Halo, it incorporates familiar settings and characters but mishandles them in an unfavorable manner. Paramount’s insistence on revealing Master Chief’s face, introducing a human agent within the Covenant forces, and including overly sentimental scenes only exacerbated the series’ issues, especially evident in the second season.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
