Perspective | 4 rules for making a video-game adaptation that works

So many video games don’t tell a linear story. Despite “Resident Evil” being my favorite game series and the games having cinematic aspirations, I do not think it works for film or TV. I think it’s helpful to understand why a game series is popular. “Resident Evil” isn’t a blockbuster game series because of its story. It’s because its engaging action goes from simulated virtual terror to calm puzzle-solving to resource management. None of that translates well even within the horror film genre.

There are dozens of video game adaptations on the way, and many of them aren’t easy adaptations to linear storytelling formats, like PlayStation’s “God of War” for Amazon’s TV slate and a film version of the classic Sega Genesis brawler “Streets of Rage,” headed by “John Wick” screenwriter Derek Kolstad. Activision-Blizzard wisely announced in 2020 that a movie based on the blockbuster “Call of Duty” franchise is no longer a priority. This is smart because “Call of Duty” is, again, not known for its dramatic storytelling, but for being the most mechanically proficient and exciting multiplayer shooting game. Not every game is going to work, and we’ve had decades of box office failures that prove this.