Embark Studios’ two flagship titles, Arc Raiders and The Finals, are moving beyond the gaming arena and are slated to become television series and feature films. 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 the adaptations. In this role, Chernin will act as the principal producer for both the TV shows and the movies derived from the games. Patrick Söderlund, who serves as Nexon’s executive chairman and is also the founder and chief executive officer of Embark Studios, described the deal as a pivotal milestone in the effort to transform the two games into "deeply integrated transmedia experiences." By extending the narratives into visual media, the partners aim to build ecosystems where the storylines, characters, and worlds can be explored across multiple platforms, enriching fan engagement and attracting new audiences.
David Ready, president of film at Chernin Entertainment, echoed this sentiment, characterizing the two properties as "ambitious global IPs with the potential to become major franchises across film and television." He highlighted the scale of the games’ player bases, the critical acclaim they have already earned, and the opportunity to translate those strengths into compelling scripted content. Arc Raiders, which launched in October 2025, has already achieved impressive commercial success, moving more than 16 million copies worldwide.
The title earned the Best Multiplayer Game award at the 2025 Game Awards and repeated the feat at the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards, underscoring its strong design, balanced competitive play, and vibrant community. The game’s rich sci‑fi setting, diverse cast of characters, and deep lore provide ample material for serialized storytelling.
The upcoming TV adaptation is expected to delve into the origins of the interstellar conflict that drives the gameplay, explore the personal motivations of key pilots, and flesh out the political intrigue that underpins the universe. The Finals, a free‑to‑play first‑person shooter, has amassed a staggering 30 million players in just three years since its debut.
Its fast‑paced, arena‑style combat and ever‑shifting environments have made it a cultural touchstone for competitive gamers. Translating that kinetic energy to the screen will involve reimagining the game’s core premise—a high‑stakes tournament where teams battle for supremacy—into a narrative that balances action with character development. The film and series are likely to focus on the personal stories of the contestants, the shadowy organization that runs the tournament, and the societal impact of a sport that blurs the line between entertainment and warfare. Chernin Entertainment brings a track record of turning modest‑budget projects into box‑office hits.
Their recent film, "Backrooms," reportedly earned over $400 million worldwide on a production budget of just $10 million, demonstrating an ability to scale horror‑thriller concepts into global phenomena. Additionally, the company produced the Apple TV+ series "Chief of War," which showcased its capacity to deliver high‑quality, serialized content for streaming platforms. These successes suggest that Chernin is well‑positioned to manage the ambitious scope of the Arc Raiders and The Finals adaptations.
The move follows a broader industry trend of adapting video game intellectual property for the screen. Recent examples include the Resident Evil franchise, whose latest film installment achieved the highest critical rating ever for a video‑game‑based movie, and the animated series "Arcane," based on League of Legends, whose second season currently enjoys a flawless 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. These successes have encouraged studios to view games not merely as source material but as fully fledged narrative universes ripe for cross‑media expansion. Industry analysts predict that the transmedia strategy will generate multiple revenue streams: theatrical releases, streaming subscriptions, merchandise, and perhaps even tie‑in game updates that reference events from the TV or film storylines.
By synchronizing release windows and marketing campaigns, the partners hope to create a feedback loop where each medium boosts interest in the others, deepening fan loyalty and extending the lifespan of the brands. In summary, the collaboration between Embark Studios, Nexon, and Chernin Entertainment marks a significant step toward turning two of the most popular contemporary games into expansive entertainment franchises. With Chernin’s production expertise, the proven popularity of Arc Raiders and The Finals, and a market increasingly receptive to video‑game‑based storytelling, the upcoming adaptations have the potential to set new standards for how interactive experiences are translated into linear narratives.
The projects are still in early development, but the enthusiasm from both creators and executives signals that audiences can expect high‑quality, story‑driven adaptations that honor the spirit of the original games while reaching a broader, more diverse viewership.