Embark Studios’ two flagship titles, Arc Raiders and The Finals, are moving beyond the interactive medium and are slated for conversion into both television series and cinematic releases. The announcement, reported by Variety, confirms that Chernin Entertainment— the film and television arm of The North Road Company— has been chosen from a competitive field of production houses to helm these adaptations. In this role, Chernin will serve as the lead producer, overseeing the development of both the TV shows and the movies that will bring the games’ narratives and worlds to a broader audience.
Patrick Söderlund, the executive chairman of Nexon and the founder‑CEO of Embark Studios, described the partnership as a pivotal milestone in the companies’ strategy to evolve their games into "deeply integrated transmedia experiences." By extending the properties into film and television, the aim is to create a cohesive ecosystem where the storylines, characters, and visual aesthetics can be explored across multiple platforms, enriching the fan experience and attracting new viewers who may not be familiar with the original games. David Ready, who leads the film division at Chernin Entertainment, echoed this enthusiasm, characterizing Arc Raiders and The Finals as "ambitious global intellectual properties with the potential to become major franchises across film and television." He highlighted the games’ strong narrative foundations, distinctive art direction, and built‑in community engagement as key ingredients that make them ripe for adaptation. Ready also noted that the projects will benefit from Chernin’s track record of turning niche or genre‑specific content into mainstream hits. Arc Raiders, which debuted in October 2025, quickly rose to prominence, selling over 16 million copies worldwide.
The title earned critical acclaim, capturing the Best Multiplayer Game award at the 2025 Game Awards and repeating the feat at the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards. Its blend of cooperative combat, strategic base‑building, and a richly detailed sci‑fi universe has resonated with both casual players and competitive e‑sports enthusiasts. The forthcoming TV series is expected to delve deeper into the lore, exploring the political tensions between the rival factions and the personal backstories of key protagonists, while the film adaptation will likely focus on a high‑stakes, action‑driven storyline that can stand alone for audiences unfamiliar with the game. The Finals, a free‑to‑play first‑person shooter, has amassed a staggering 30 million players in just three years since its launch.
Its fast‑paced, arena‑style gameplay and ever‑shifting environments have cultivated a vibrant community and positioned the title as a cultural touchstone within the online shooter genre. By translating The Finals to screen, the producers hope to capture the adrenaline‑pumping competition and the psychological drama of high‑pressure matches, potentially framing the narrative around a fictional e‑sports league or an underground tournament that mirrors the game’s core mechanics.
Chernin Entertainment brings a notable portfolio to the table. Among its recent successes is the horror‑thriller film "Backrooms," which Variety reported grossed more than $400 million worldwide on a modest $10 million budget, demonstrating the company’s ability to turn low‑budget concepts into blockbuster returns.
Additionally, the studio produced the Apple TV+ series "Chief of War," further showcasing its versatility in handling both cinematic and serialized storytelling. These adaptations join a growing list of video‑game properties that have successfully crossed over to the screen. The latest Resident Evil film has set a new benchmark as the highest‑rated video‑game movie adaptation to date, while the second season of "Arcane," the animated series based on League of Legends, enjoys a flawless 100 % rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Such achievements illustrate a shifting perception in Hollywood: well‑crafted game narratives can translate into compelling visual media when given the right creative stewardship. Looking ahead, the collaboration between Chernin Entertainment and Embark Studios could serve as a model for future transmedia endeavors. By leveraging the existing fan bases, expanding the storytelling canvas, and employing seasoned production talent, both Arc Raiders and The Finals have the opportunity to become enduring franchises that thrive across gaming consoles, streaming platforms, and cinema screens alike. The upcoming announcements regarding casting, showrunners, and release windows are eagerly anticipated by industry observers and fans, who hope that these adaptations will honor the spirit of the original games while delivering fresh, engaging content for a wider audience.