Skybound Forecasts a Decade-Long Surge in Video Game Adaptations

The entertainment industry is currently experiencing a wave of successful adaptations of popular video game franchises for film and television. The Super Mario Bros. Movie remains one of the most successful animated films of all time, while series like Fallout and The Last of Us have drawn in millions of viewers. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is expected to continue this trend when it hits theaters this Christmas, and Gearbox's Borderlands movie is also set to debut soon. David Alpert, CEO of Skybound, believes this trend is not a fleeting fad, but rather the beginning of a longer movement. He notes that the comic book movie genre experienced a similar surge in popularity, starting with the 2002 Spider-Man film, and went on to have a 20-year run of successful adaptations. Alpert thinks that the video game industry could experience a similar 5-10 year run. He attributes the shift to two factors: the evolution of video games themselves, which have become more immersive and engaging, and advancements in film and TV production technology. The original Jurassic Park, for example, had around 600 special effects shots, whereas now a single TV episode can have just as many. Alpert cites Fallout as a significant step forward in video game adaptations, praising its faithfulness to the original property and its quality as a TV show. He also mentions that the success of Dune has set a high standard for video game adaptations, and he hopes to see similar quality in future adaptations. Skybound has been exploring ways to bring properties from one medium to another, with notable successes like The Walking Dead and Invincible. As more video game publishers bring their IP to other forms of entertainment, it demonstrates a shift in the mentality of film and TV companies, which now see the value in adapting video game properties. Jon Goldman notes that adapting a video game IP into another medium is not a straightforward process, and it requires a deep understanding of the original property and its appeal. He advises developers to focus on creating a great game first, rather than trying to adapt it into other forms of entertainment. If a game is not successful, it will be difficult to adapt it into a successful TV show or film. Alpert adds that when adapting a video game IP, it's essential to treat the adaptation as a primary product, rather than a spin-off or marketing tool. This means ensuring that the adaptation is of high quality and faithful to the original property. Screen adaptations can also serve as powerful marketing tools for video games, as seen with the success of Fallout and Mario games. However, it's interesting to note that it's mostly back-catalog games that benefit from these successes, and companies have yet to release a new video game alongside its film and TV adaptation. Goldman observes that the video game industry has a unique business model, which allows for a wide range of revenue streams, from free-to-play games to premium titles. This model is different from the TV and film industries, which have more traditional business models. While subscriptions have been on the rise in video games, the industry has yet to be disrupted in the same way as TV and film. Goldman believes that the video game industry's business model is immune to disruption, but notes that if the subscription model becomes more prevalent, it could put downward pressure on developers and creators.