Embark Studios, the development house behind the popular titles Arc Raiders and The Finals, has confirmed that both games are moving beyond the interactive medium and will be transformed into television series and feature films. The announcement, reported by Variety, reveals that Chernin Entertainment—part of The North Road Company’s film and TV division—has been chosen from a competitive pool of studios and production companies to helm these adaptations.
In this role, Chernin will serve as the primary producer for both the small‑screen series and the cinematic releases, overseeing creative development, scriptwriting, casting, and overall production logistics. Patrick Söderlund, the executive chairman of Nexon and the founder‑CEO of Embark Studios, described the partnership as a pivotal milestone in the companies’ broader strategy to evolve their games into "deeply integrated transmedia experiences." By extending the narratives of Arc Raiders and The Finals into visual storytelling formats, the aim is to deepen fan engagement, attract new audiences, and create a cohesive universe that spans interactive play, episodic television, and blockbuster movies. David Ready, who leads the film division at Chernin Entertainment, echoed this vision, calling the two titles "ambitious global IPs with the potential to become major franchises across film and television." He emphasized that both games possess rich world‑building, compelling characters, and high‑stakes conflict—elements that translate well to serialized storytelling and cinematic spectacle. Ready noted that the move is part of a larger trend where video game properties are being treated as premium intellectual property capable of sustaining multi‑year, cross‑platform narratives.
Arc Raiders, which launched in October 2025, has already demonstrated remarkable commercial success, selling more than 16 million copies worldwide. The game earned the award for Best Multiplayer Game at the 2025 Game Awards and repeated the feat at the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards, cementing its reputation as a benchmark for competitive online experiences. Its blend of futuristic combat, strategic team play, and immersive lore provides a fertile foundation for a television series that could explore each faction’s backstory, political intrigue, and the technology that drives the in‑game universe.
The film adaptation, on the other hand, could focus on a high‑octane, self‑contained storyline that captures the adrenaline‑fueled action that fans love. The Finals, a free‑to‑play first‑person shooter, has amassed a player base exceeding 30 million over a three‑year period. Its emphasis on dynamic arenas, customizable load‑outs, and a constantly evolving meta makes it an attractive candidate for narrative expansion.
A TV series could delve into the lives of professional e‑sports athletes, the corporate machinations behind the game’s tournaments, and the personal stakes that drive competitors to push the limits of skill and technology. Meanwhile, a film could spotlight a singular, high‑stakes tournament that serves as a microcosm of the larger competitive ecosystem, offering viewers an intense, character‑driven thriller. Chernin Entertainment brings a proven track record to the table. Among its recent successes is the feature film Backrooms, which Variety reports grossed over $400 million globally on a modest $10 million production budget—a testament to the company’s ability to turn modestly funded projects into blockbuster hits.
Additionally, Chernin produced the Apple TV+ series Chief of War, further demonstrating its competence in delivering high‑quality, serialized content that resonates with audiences. These upcoming adaptations join a growing list of video game properties that have successfully transitioned to the screen. The latest Resident Evil movie, for example, achieved the distinction of being the highest‑rated video‑game‑based film to date, while the second season of Arcane—Netflix’s animated series based on League of Legends—holds a perfect 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Such achievements illustrate that, when handled with care and creative vision, gaming IPs can thrive in traditional media formats. Looking ahead, the collaboration between Nexon’s Embark Studios and Chernin Entertainment signals a strategic push toward a unified entertainment ecosystem. By leveraging the existing fan bases of Arc Raiders and The Finals, the adaptations aim to create entry points for newcomers while rewarding long‑time players with deeper lore and new storytelling angles. The projects are still in early development, with script drafts, casting considerations, and visual concept work underway.
Fans can anticipate regular updates as the productions move from pre‑production into filming, and the industry will be watching closely to see how these ambitious transmedia ventures unfold. In summary, the partnership will see Arc Raiders and The Finals expand from interactive experiences into fully realized television series and feature films, with Chernin Entertainment leading production.
The initiative reflects a broader industry trend of treating video games as rich source material for high‑quality, cross‑platform storytelling, promising to deliver fresh content that honors the original games while reaching broader audiences.