Software giant Microsoft recently announced that California-based production company, Maxmedia, will develop an animated feature adaptation of the upcoming Xbox 360 video game, ‘Kameo: Elements of Power’.
This move, it seems, reflects the new trend wherein movie-makers are increasingly looking at video games for scripts and characters – rather than the other way around.
So far, movies such as The Adventures of Lara Croft and Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life based on the popular adventure game character of the same name have met with a considerable amount of success. Producers also developed the storyline of the cult horror game ‘Resident Evil’ into two full length feature films that were equally successful.
Also, cashing in on the success of the popular video game series, film-makers recently released Doom – based on the popular FPS (first person shooter) – that stars Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, who’s film credits include popular flicks such as Lethal Weapon 4, The Devil’s Advocate and Species.
Producer/Director, Sunmin Park will adapt the ‘Elements of Power’ for the screen version of the Xbox 360 game. Park recently produced, co-wrote and directed the English version of Sky Blue, a multilayered, composite, digital animation feature in high definition. The film premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and went on to screen at film festivals in Venice, London, Tokyo and other cities around the world. Park’s producing credits also include The Others, starring Nicole Kidman.
‘Kameo: Elements of Power’, the fantasy action-adventure game being developed by Rare Ltd, will be released by the end of this year by Microsoft Game Studios exclusively for the next-generation Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.
This is the first time however, where a game that hasn’t even been released as yet is going to be converted into an animated feature.
In ‘Elements of Power’, the young Elf, Kameo, must master her new ability to transform into mystical warriors and harness their powers to save her people from Thorn, the evil Troll king. Production for the adaptation will begin in 2006.
While most other game-based movies starred real life actors, Kameo will boast of a totally digital star cast. This factor, however, is not a first.
Popular MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game) Final Fantasy has the distinction of being one of the first games to be converted into a full length animated movie. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was released in 2001.
“We are excited to see the world of Kameo come to life on the silver screen through the work of Sunmin Park and Maxmedia,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing at Xbox.
All we have to see now is if the rest of the world is going to be as excited as the people in Microsoft and Maxmedia about an animated feature, which is based on a game that no one has even played as yet.