Embark Studios’ two flagship titles, Arc Raiders and The Finals, are slated to make the leap from interactive entertainment to the silver screen and television. Variety reports that the adaptation projects have been partnered with Chernin Entertainment, the film and television arm of The North Road Company.
After a competitive bidding process that saw multiple production houses and studios vie for the licensing rights, Chernin Entertainment emerged as the chosen partner and will take the lead as the primary producer for both the television series and feature‑film versions of the games. Patrick Söderlund, who serves as Nexon’s executive chairman as well as the founder and chief executive of Embark Studios, described the deal as a pivotal milestone in the broader strategy to evolve the two games into "deeply integrated transmedia experiences." In other words, the goal is to expand the narrative universes of Arc Raiders and The Finals beyond the confines of gameplay, allowing fans to engage with the stories, characters, and worlds through multiple media formats. David Ready, who heads the film division at Chernin Entertainment, echoed this sentiment, characterising the two titles as "ambitious global IPs with the potential to become major franchises across film and television." He highlighted the scale of the games’ existing fan bases and the rich, cinematic quality of their storytelling as key factors that make them attractive candidates for adaptation. Arc Raiders, which launched in October 2025, quickly amassed a massive audience, surpassing 16 million copies sold worldwide.
The title’s critical acclaim was cemented when it captured the Best Multiplayer Game award at the 2025 Game Awards, followed by a second accolade for best multiplayer at the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards. The Finals, a free‑to‑play first‑person shooter, has also demonstrated impressive longevity and reach, logging more than 30 million players over a three‑year period.
Both games have built expansive lore, distinctive visual styles, and compelling character arcs—ingredients that translate well to episodic storytelling and cinematic narratives. Chernin Entertainment brings a proven track record to the table. Among its recent successes is the horror‑thriller film "Backrooms," which Variety notes grossed over $400 million worldwide on a modest $10 million production budget, illustrating 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. The move to adapt video games for screen is part of a larger industry trend.
Recent adaptations have shown that when executed with fidelity to source material and a clear creative vision, they can achieve both critical and commercial success. For instance, the latest Resident Evil movie has become the highest‑rated video‑game‑based film adaptation to date, while the second season of "Arcane: League of Legends" enjoys a flawless 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, underscoring the appetite for well‑crafted transmedia projects. Looking ahead, the collaboration between Chernin Entertainment and Embark Studios promises to explore new storytelling avenues.
For Arc Raiders, the adaptation could delve deeper into the game's post‑apocalyptic setting, expanding on the political intrigue and factional warfare that drive player engagement. The series might introduce new characters while preserving the core heroes that fans have come to love, thereby enriching the narrative tapestry. In the case of The Finals, a film adaptation could focus on the high‑stakes tournament structure, offering a blend of intense action sequences and character‑driven drama that mirrors the adrenaline‑fueled experience of the game itself.
Both adaptations are expected to leverage cutting‑edge visual effects, immersive world‑building, and a soundtrack that captures the energetic pulse of the original titles. By doing so, they aim not only to satisfy existing fans but also to attract newcomers who may discover the games through these new media formats. The synergy between interactive and passive entertainment could open up merchandising opportunities, spin‑off novels, and even theme‑park experiences, further solidifying the franchises as multi‑platform cultural phenomena.
In summary, the partnership between Chernin Entertainment and Embark Studios marks a significant step toward turning two of the most popular recent video games into fully realized television series and movies. With strong production credentials, award‑winning source material, and a clear vision for transmedia expansion, the adaptations have the potential to become landmark entries in the growing catalog of video‑game‑derived screen content.