How do millennials use video games as IP?
Millennials, like me, grew up during the golden age of gaming, witnessing the rise of home consoles, online gaming, and ever-evolving technology. And because technology has evolved with us, it means that many of us never outgrew playing games because gaming has continued to grow with us.
Now, with this generation assuming executive roles in Hollywood, video games have emerged as the IP of choice. And it’s not just because superhero movies have faltered lately.
There’s a lot of money behind the gaming industry, and companies like Disney and Netflix are looking to add games to their subscription services. The gaming industry generated $56.6 billion in 2022, and that number is sure to rise in the last year or two.
They also inspired a long and interesting article about how we got to this point.
So, today I’d like to dive into why games are so valuable, and what the future of this intellectual property looks like.
Press the “Start” button and let’s go.
Video games and Hollywood
The last of us
HBO
Video games aren’t just a subculture anymore. They are a dominant force in popular culture, rivaling or sometimes surpassing films and music in terms of revenue and global reach.
Popular games come with a huge built-in audience. When you adapt a video game, you start with a passionate fan base, ensuring interest and potential box office success.
Modern video games boast complex characters, elaborate worlds, and immersive stories that are ideally suited to film and television, unlike the more flexible narrative games that came at the beginning of technology.
The curse of video game modifications
For a long time, Hollywood has been very bad at adapting video games into movies and TV shows. It was considered a curse, and people were written off from films like death And the original Super Mario Bros Immediately.
But as people connected to these games gained power in Hollywood, things changed.
For years, video game adaptations have been notorious for their poor quality, leading to the idea of being “fucked”. This was largely due to studios ignoring the essence of what made the game attractive, misunderstanding the difference between a game and a movie, and sometimes trying to capitalize on popular titles.
Although occasional failure may occur, the growing trend of critically acclaimed and financially successful adaptations shows that the “curse” of video game adaptations is weakening.
Let’s look at some great examples.
Video Games and Millennials
Tomb rider
Elzek Kitschoff/Warner Bros. Pictures
Movies and TV shows based on games don’t have the baggage and a lot of that has to do with millennials.
We grew up loving certain games and took that passion for playing them and brought it to the big screen. But we also grew up seeing bad edits, so we learned all the lessons right away in terms of things to avoid.
Millennials are among the first generations to fully appreciate gaming as a unique medium for storytelling. This understanding leads to an interest in adapting the rich narratives of games into films and television shows.
And to other business opportunities. Video game adaptations fuel a lucrative cycle: films and series can generate interest in the original game, and games can boost the appeal of their adaptations.
Examples of movies and TV shows based on video games
Mortal Kombat
Warner Bros.
Games, like movies and television, have different sizes and scopes. It can be easy to adapt to because it comes with built-in characters and stories. It also leaves a lot of room for interpretations.
You can have a prestige show on HBO, a children’s movie, and even an indie horror comedy.
Each comes with a built-in audience and the ability to draw people into games, or vice versa.
There is a lot of room for cooperation.
Blockbuster movies
- Sonic the Hedgehog (and its sequel): Successful and surprisingly fun adaptations of the classic SEGA series.
- Detective Pikachu: A charming and unique look at the world of Pokemon.
- unknown: A big-budget action-adventure spectacle based on the popular game series.
- Tomb rider: Lara Croft is getting a bolder new version, starring Alicia Vikander and Angelina Jolie before her.
- Mortal Kombat (2021): A reboot that brings the bloody violence of gaming to the screen.
- Cans: A visually impressive game that was a hit with some fans of the game world.
Critically acclaimed television shows
- the magician: Based on the books and games, this dark fantasy series has become very popular.
- mysterious: league of legends: Stunning animation and complex characters elevate this adaptation to a far higher level than traditional material.
- Castlevania: A dark and stylish anime-inspired version of the classic vampire hunting games.
- The last of us: One of the most critically acclaimed adaptations to date, capturing the style and story of the beloved game.
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners : A vibrant episodic anime series set in the world of Cyberpunk 2077.
Other notable adaptations
- vampire: A long-running film franchise with a recent Netflix series as well. Mixed reception, but it’s a staple in game mods.
- aura: A recent series on Paramount+ that has received a mixed response but has found fans among newcomers to gaming.
- Werewolves inside: A surprisingly funny horror comedy based on a virtual reality social game.
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: This adaptation was one of the highest-grossing video game films of all time – it is Blumhouse’s highest-grossing opening film and is the highest-grossing Halloween weekend film of all time.
What will the intersection of Hollywood and video games look like in the future?
mysterious
Netflix
It’s time to get theory. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I do have some strong opinions about the direction I think all of this is going.
The future will see Hollywood and video games closely intertwined.
We will move beyond direct adaptations of projects that were intentionally created as games and cinematic or television experiences from the beginning.
Games will increasingly incorporate cinematic techniques to tell richer stories, while films and shows may begin to experiment with interactive elements. This would create a flow of talent between industries, as gaming expertise becomes essential in Hollywood.
Imagine playing your favorite character and then taking a break to watch the other cinematic adventures you have, sometimes with different results.
Tools like virtual production will enhance this integration. Both industries will value established gaming franchises, and seek to transform them into expansive worlds across multiple media.
I think we’re approaching the day where we constantly grapple with the question of what defines a “game” versus a “movie” in a world of interactive novels.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
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