Post by shuba on Dec 28, 2012 15:48:28 GMT -6
Video games have been a solid performing medium for many years. Peoples love affair for movies has been around even longer so doesn’t it just seem natural that a marriage of the two popular mediums would produce something big, enjoyable and wildy popular? Historically this has not been the case as movie based video games rarely get good ratings and often do not provide a good return on investment for the movie studio involved in the production of the movie. Video game adaptions are not all bad though as there have been many adapted films that have made money along the way also.
Let’s start from the beginning with the first mainstream video game adapted to a movie, Super Mario Bros. Released in 1993 with a budget of 48 million dollars this movie only grossed 21 million dollars at the box office so what happened here? I think the problem could have been a variety of factors. Think about how much money Super Mario Bros franchise was making early 90’s. A movie producer saw this and thought to himself, the franchise is making tons of money so think how much a movie about the game would make. With his eyes glazed over, visions of dollar signs in their eyes the producers and directors set out to release the story of the Mario Brothers. No doubt they had minimal knowledge of the game or its fan base and it showed. They didn’t realize the video game story was not exactly a thrill a minute story and that people were not pumping quarters into machine for its story.
Super Mario Bros was more of a hands on experience that arcade players had found but the film makers didn’t’ see that and it showed. I’m sure Nintendo thought they were going to make a crap ton of money off the movie also but as we know that didn’t happen.
Things have changed since the early video game movie releases and producers and directors are now more aware of the game they are working with and the fan base that plays the game. They have a better knowledge of the storyline because they play the games and often times the game studio will have one or more consultants available during the process to help keep the film in line with the directors vision without swaying too far from the studios vision of the game and what they want the viewers to experience in the finished product.
Even with great experienced directors and film makers, new technology, studio involvement and more extensive marketing than ever I think it boils down to down to the popularity of the game or game series and the story that is told or that can be adapted from the story that is told in the game itself that determines if a movie is going to do well.
There are exceptions to any rule and there are a couple that don’t seem to make sense because they really don’t provide any type of story line but the game itself could be a great story. How in the mid 90’s did two fighting games become so profitable for their studios? Mortal Kombat cost $18 million dollars to make and grossed $122 million and Street Fighter cost $35 million to make and grossed over $99 million.
There really is no rhyme or reason to what movie is going to be a success just look at Waterworld. As a gamer though it is fun to see the games I love up on a big screen in all their glory. I also take comfort in knowing that no matter how good or bad the movie is I still have the games to play and I know they won’t let me down.
Let me know your thoughts and your favorite video game movies...
Shuba
Let’s start from the beginning with the first mainstream video game adapted to a movie, Super Mario Bros. Released in 1993 with a budget of 48 million dollars this movie only grossed 21 million dollars at the box office so what happened here? I think the problem could have been a variety of factors. Think about how much money Super Mario Bros franchise was making early 90’s. A movie producer saw this and thought to himself, the franchise is making tons of money so think how much a movie about the game would make. With his eyes glazed over, visions of dollar signs in their eyes the producers and directors set out to release the story of the Mario Brothers. No doubt they had minimal knowledge of the game or its fan base and it showed. They didn’t realize the video game story was not exactly a thrill a minute story and that people were not pumping quarters into machine for its story.
Super Mario Bros was more of a hands on experience that arcade players had found but the film makers didn’t’ see that and it showed. I’m sure Nintendo thought they were going to make a crap ton of money off the movie also but as we know that didn’t happen.
Things have changed since the early video game movie releases and producers and directors are now more aware of the game they are working with and the fan base that plays the game. They have a better knowledge of the storyline because they play the games and often times the game studio will have one or more consultants available during the process to help keep the film in line with the directors vision without swaying too far from the studios vision of the game and what they want the viewers to experience in the finished product.
Even with great experienced directors and film makers, new technology, studio involvement and more extensive marketing than ever I think it boils down to down to the popularity of the game or game series and the story that is told or that can be adapted from the story that is told in the game itself that determines if a movie is going to do well.
There are exceptions to any rule and there are a couple that don’t seem to make sense because they really don’t provide any type of story line but the game itself could be a great story. How in the mid 90’s did two fighting games become so profitable for their studios? Mortal Kombat cost $18 million dollars to make and grossed $122 million and Street Fighter cost $35 million to make and grossed over $99 million.
There really is no rhyme or reason to what movie is going to be a success just look at Waterworld. As a gamer though it is fun to see the games I love up on a big screen in all their glory. I also take comfort in knowing that no matter how good or bad the movie is I still have the games to play and I know they won’t let me down.
Let me know your thoughts and your favorite video game movies...
Shuba