Embark Studios’ two flagship titles, Arc Raiders and The Finals, are moving beyond the gaming sphere and are slated for development as both television series and feature films. The announcement, reported by Variety, confirms that Chernin Entertainment— the production arm of The North Road Company—has been chosen from a competitive field of studios and production houses to helm these adaptations. In this role, Chernin will serve as the primary producer for both the small‑screen series and the big‑screen movies that will bring the games’ worlds to a broader audience. Patrick Söderlund, who serves as Nexon’s executive chairman as well as the founder and chief executive 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 narratives into film and television, the developers aim to create a cohesive ecosystem where the storylines, characters, and visual style can be explored across multiple platforms, enhancing fan engagement and attracting new viewers who may not be familiar with the original interactive formats.
David Ready, president of film at Chernin Entertainment, echoed this sentiment, calling the two games “ambitious global IPs with the potential to become major franchises across film and television.” Ready highlighted that both titles possess rich lore, distinctive aesthetics, and built‑in fan bases that make them strong candidates for successful adaptations. The goal, according to Ready, is to preserve the core spirit of the games while expanding their universes in ways that only visual storytelling can achieve.
Arc Raiders, which launched in October 2025, quickly rose to prominence by selling more than 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 fast‑paced combat, strategic team play, and a vivid sci‑fi setting has resonated with both casual and competitive players. The upcoming TV series is expected to delve deeper into the backstory of the interstellar conflict that drives the game, exploring the political intrigue and personal motivations of the various factions. Meanwhile, the film adaptation will likely focus on a high‑octane, self‑contained storyline that showcases the game’s signature action sequences and visual spectacle. The Finals, a free‑to‑play first‑person shooter, has amassed a staggering player base of over 30 million users within three years of its release.
Its popularity stems from a dynamic arena format that pits teams against each other in ever‑changing environments, encouraging improvisation and teamwork. By translating this concept to screen, the producers hope to capture the adrenaline‑fueled energy of the matches while providing a narrative framework that explains the origins of the tournament and the personal stakes for its competitors. The series may adopt an episodic structure that follows a group of protagonists as they navigate the cut‑throat world of professional e‑sports, while the film could serve as a standalone showcase of the tournament’s most dramatic moments. Chernin Entertainment brings a proven track record to the table.
Among its recent successes is the horror‑thriller Backrooms, which Variety reported grossed more than $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 capacity to deliver high‑quality, narrative‑driven content for streaming platforms. These credentials suggest that the adaptations of Arc Raiders and The Finals will benefit from a seasoned production team capable of balancing fan expectations with the demands of mainstream storytelling.
The move follows a broader industry trend of adapting video game intellectual property for film and television. Recent examples include the Resident Evil franchise, which achieved the distinction of being the highest‑rated video‑game‑based movie adaptation to date, and the second season of Arcane, the animated series based on League of Legends, which currently enjoys a perfect 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. These successes have demonstrated that, when handled with care and creativity, game adaptations can resonate with both dedicated gamers and general audiences.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between Chernin Entertainment and Embark Studios is poised to set a new standard for how interactive entertainment can be reimagined for passive media. By leveraging the deep lore, compelling characters, and striking visual design of Arc Raiders and The Finals, the adaptations aim to create immersive experiences that stand on their own while honoring the source material. Fans can anticipate a blend of high‑production‑value action, nuanced character development, and expansive world‑building that could elevate these properties from successful games to cultural touchstones across multiple entertainment formats. The projects are still in early development, but the involvement of seasoned producers and the enthusiasm expressed by both companies suggest a promising future for these transmedia ventures.