Threads
- Movie tie-in games thrived in the 2000s but declined due to rushed development and declining quality.
- Some games, like X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Spider-Man, surpassed their movie counterparts, becoming beloved classics.
- The trend is reviving in a new manner with titles like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
The concept of movie tie-in games has existed for as long as gaming has, despite the notion being used enough as it was up until a couple of decades ago. The main goal for tie-in games was to promote blockbuster movies and explore stories beyond what could be told in cinema.
Movie tie-in games peaked in the 2000s when we received several amazing titles, such as X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Spider-Man games. Despite their success, the notion fell off in the coming decade and seemed forgotten in the 2020s.
There are multiple reasons why the trend of movie tie-in games has disappeared. These tie-in games were mainly direct adaptations of the movies, making them redundant, and rushed releases resulted in underwhelming title releases, i.e., Aliens Vs. Predators: Requiem.
Why it matters: Movie tie-in games were perfect for exploring characters’ stories beyond cinema and in different entertainment mediums. It’s important to highlight what caused these issues and what the industry can do today to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Downfall Of Video Games Based On Movies
One of the reasons movie tie-in games were successful in the ’80s or ’90s was that both the video games and the movie tie-in concept were new. Moreover, video games back then were comparatively simplistic, based on a 2D space.
In the 2000s, however, video games had substantially evolved, with their budgets and overall scale increasing. It was difficult for developers to catch on to releasing these titles alongside the movies, which resulted in rushed releases.
It made sense because a film’s development took way less time than a video game, and it wasn’t the 80s and 90s anymore when developers would reskin a Metroidvania game and call it a day.
Moreover, most of the games followed the direct plot of their movie counterparts, making their success dependent on the movie’s quality and success.
Consumers also expected better experiences for these games, which the developers failed to deliver. Publishers, on the other hand, started milking the IPs, which eventually caused the studios to withdraw their game licenses to avoid harming the IP.
These Tie-In Games Were Better Than Their Movie Counterparts
Despite so many subpar movie tie-in video game releases in the 2000s, some amazing titles were also released in the era. I’d even argue that some games were better than their film counterparts.
Among these titles, I loved the Spider-Man games based on Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies. This was when superhero movies began to take off, and the Spider-Man games followed the same path to promoting superheroes in the video game realm.
Among other comic book movies, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is one of the best superhero games I’ve played. The game explores beyond the plot of its movie counterpart and is the most authentic Wolverine-style bloody video game experience.
Countless other examples of good licensed games aren’t necessarily film adaptations. These timeless classics include games like early Harry Potter titles, Golden Eye 007, and Simpson: Hit and Run, the kid-friendly version of GTA, are all timeless classics.
More Movie Tie-In Games Are Always Welcome
Many miss movie tie-in games but the concept didn’t completely vanish. Games like Shadow of Mordor prove this trend can still work today. However, creating IPs like the Arkham series and Marvel’s Spider-Man games leaves little room for movie tie-in games.
This is a great thing since we won’t get the direct adaptation of the film because that aspect is outdated. Instead, I’d prefer exploring more stories within the overarching storylines of the movies, something that Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora did.
With the film industry’s shift towards shared universes, movie tie-in games are slowly becoming a trend again. James Gunn’s new DCU will have tie-in video games to the universe.
On the other hand, Control and Alan Wake can also get TV show adaptations. We’re at the dawn of another age of movie tie-in games, and this time, with the advancement of technology and studios taking a more creative and safer approach, they can be better than ever.
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[News Reporter]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheer@tech4gamers.com
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